Irrigation and Water Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

To be offered as an intensive 5 day teaching block proposed dates: 29 June - 3 July 2015, at the Dookie campus of the University. Accommodation and catering are available on campus. Single room accommodation with shared bathroom facilities, breakfast, lunch & evening meals - Approx $400. Transport from the Benalla train station to the campus can be arranged upon request.

The first assignment(worth 20%) in this subject requires students to gain an understanding of continental water management issues. The Murray Darling Basin provides environmental, technical , political, social and economic challenges for case study. During the pre teaching period (27 April - 30 June) students need to read the 2012 Federal Government Murray Darling Basin plan to help complete the assignment. Additional information on the Basin will also be circulated for supplementary reading.

Dookie campus

170 hours, including contact hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• describe the scale and distribution of the major irrigation systems in south-eastern Australia;

• evaluate plant water requirements in terms of water quality and frequency of supply;

• apply basic principles of hydraulics to the selection of irrigation systems appurtenances and structures;

• assess irrigation systems in terms of efficiency, economy, energy-use and environmental impact;

• recognise the advantages and disadvantages of common irrigation systems; and

• recognise the need for efficient irrigation drainage as well as water supply.

The content includes:

• water supply potential for the development of irrigation systems, management planning and operation of water allocations, water law, cost benefit analysis, environmental and energy-use implications of resource utilisation and development, efficiency of irrigation systems and long-term viability;

• climatic factors in irrigation development, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and hydrology;

• plant physiology and plant water use, transpiration crop water requirements in terms of water quality and quantity;

• soils and water, soil moisture retention and movement, plant root zones and development, infiltration and leaching;

• irrigation scheduling, soil moisture measurement; and

• types of irrigation systems, selection of irrigation systems, irrigation drainage, seepage, surface and subsurface drainage systems, salinity, conveyance and disposal of drained effluent, re-use systems, management of irrigation systems, operations and maintenance requirements.

N/A

Three-hour examination (end of semester exam period - 50%), two assignments approximately 1000 words each (first due approximately week 6 and second due approximately week 11 - each worth 25%).

None

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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