This 3.5-year project developed knowledge and water planning tools for farmers who needed their dams to work in all years and confidently make water investment decisions.
The project involved 12 core demonstration sites, building farm-based water planning tools, workshops, field days and industry training.
The project investigated solutions, which included renovating existing dams, building new dams, and implementing evaporation suppression and runoff technologies.
The GGA through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub collaborated with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the University of Western Australia (UWA), and leveraged their existing work and prior investment in this field, as well as four grower group project partners, including Compass Agricultural Alliance, Darkan, Southern Dirt, Kojonup, Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group, Merredin and the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group, Jerramungup.
WaterSmart Dams buillt on the existing WaterSmart Farms program – a collaborative DPIRD designed program researching sustainable groundwater supply options using on-farm desalinisation technology.
This project was jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) and the Western Australian state government’s Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund (ACRF), supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The Centre for Water and Spatial Science at UWA developed the Water Evaluation Platform (WEP) – a key component of this project. The WEP is an online platform for evaluating water security on farms, enabling users to adequately size catchments and dams to meet their water needs and understand the economics of different water security options.
Some of the options highlighted through WaterSmart Dam and partner projects in WA are showcased in the technology gallery.
The WEP was designed with industry experts and growers and supports individual farms, private contractors, water planners, and local communities to make drought-resilient investment decisions. It also aimed to:
- Optimise dam and catchment size and type
- Simulate dam performance over time
- Estimate dam water loss from evaporation
- Assess the costs and benefits of improving dams and catchments.
Dam Technology Gallery
This gallery overviews the WaterSmart technology implemented at the demonstration sites.
Is there a solution to help improve your water security?
SmartDams Champions Demonstration Sites
This gallery showcases the growers who hosted WaterSmart demonstration sites.
Find out how they improved their dam infrastructure.
Resources
WaterSmart Dams Flyer
The WaterSmart Dams team assessed the benefits and costs of on-farm water capture and evaporation suppressive solutions. Read some of the preliminary data on sub-surface drainage and effective ways to reduce evaporation in the WSD Flyer. The flyer also contains links to resources on water quality for herbicide efficacy and livestock health.
FBG Spray Water Quality SnapShot
Brought to you by the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group (FBG), read the full document for detailed insights intended to support grower group members in understanding how water quality affects herbicide efficacy and more.
Case Studies Booklet – 2025
This case study booklet shares the insights from Western Australian growers, from four grower group project partners from within the GGA Network, including Compass Agricultural Alliance, Darkan; Southern Dirt, Kojonup; Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group, Merredin; and the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group, Jerramungup.
Read the full case study to see their perspective, process, results and challenges.
Catchment Liner Instructional Video
This project aims to gauge the efficacy of using a cost-effective material – second-hand CBH tarpaulins – to increase water run-off into dams.
MADFIG: Water Quality Sampling 23-24
Brought to you by the Merredin & Districts Farm Improvement Group, the Water Quality Survey for chemical spraying results 2023-24 looks at how the effectiveness of agricultural chemical applications can be compromised by the quality of water used for mixing.
Compass Ag. Alliance WSD Podcast
Brought to you by Icon Agriculture and Compass Agricultural Alliance, hosted by Lavinia Wehr with special insights from Shane from Darkan Earthmoving. diving into the world of water management for sustainable agriculture and is dedicated to sharing practical tips, expert advice, and innovative techniques for WaterSmart farming.
WA Climate Change Data
Rainfall in SW WA has been declining since the 1960’s. Find out more about this rainfall change and understand why farmers need to consider water strategies now for the future.
GRDC Grains Research Update 2024
WaterSmart Dams Herbicide Efficacy and Water Quality. Presented at the GRDC Grain Research Update in February 2024. Watch video above.
Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt
A podcast dedicated to building innovation and resilience against drought in the Eastern Wheatbelt region, brought to you by Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group.
Methane emissions from farm dams
Preliminary Investigation of Methane Emissions from Farm Dams in Western Australia.
This project aims to initiate the pilot work needed to understand how to collect and analyse methane emissions data from Western Australian farm dams.
Katanning Landcare Dam Case Studies
The project aims to understand and enhance the role of farm dams for drought resilience in the Broadacre agricultural landscape of Katanning, WA.
Why do dams fail?
Dam failures can be structural, hydraulic and hydrological or a combination of these and can be related to a series of events.
South Coast Climate Dashboard
Welcome to the South Coast Climate Dashboard, an essential guide for navigating the challenges and opportunities of climate change in the lower Great Southern region.
Science to Practice Forum Jun ’22
Project overview presentation ~ Innovative water supply options for the future – Richard George and Nik Callow.
WaterSmart Farms Project
Existing ‘sister’ project relating to on-farm desalinisation solutions.
Project Updates
News
WaterSmart Dams case studies showcase solutions to improve water investment decisions 2.10.25
S3E10 WaterSmart Dams: capturing and keeping water in dams: 4-June-25
Nick-Callow_Dam-Evaporation-12-Feb-24
Media-release; Making dams work again – that’ damn smart: 7-March-22
ABC ‘Country Hour’ project overview
‘…A WA-based research project called WaterSmart Dams is determined to make dams great again…’
An innovative solution for WA’s drying dams ABC News
Southern WA’s drying climate and hot summers have prompted authorities to find new ways to reduce evaporation from dams.
Get Involved
Add your details here to follow the project, stay informed on dam design updates, and field days or book a chat with one of the project team.
If you are using innovative new technologies on your dam/catchment we would be interested in hearing from you and showcasing your dam in our project gallery, complete this form.
Project Team
Head of Projects GGA
UWA
UWA Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS)
UWA Centre for Water & Spatial Sciences
MADFIG
Southern Dirt
Compass Agricultural Alliance
GGA Senior Communications Specialist
Contact
Enquiries to GGA Head of Projects Daniel Kidd.
Collaborators
