Construction works commenced in 2008 with an early works program completed by FutureFlow and the bulk of works are undertaken from 15 May to 15 August each year when the irrigation system is shut down for winter. Thorough planning is required to deliver works across a 68 000 square kilometre area during this tight construction window. Smaller scale works are also undertaken throughout the year.
NVIRP has targets for the length of channel refurbishment, number of automatic regulator gates and meters to be installed within each irrigation area based on automating the channel system and reducing water losses.
Following are descriptions of the main types of construction work being completed by NVIRP and its contractors.
Channel Automation
NVIRP is upgrading a manually operated channel system to a fully automated irrigation delivery system, which will enable better measurement and management of water flows. This is being achieved through the installation of automatic regulation gates controlled by a Total Channel Control® (TCC®) system that was developed through extensive, award-winning research undertaken by Rubicon Systems Australia and Melbourne University.
FlumeGatesTM are the main form of regulator gate being installed by NVIRP. They are overshot gates that provide precision control and accurate flow measurement. FlumeGatesTM control the flow of water onto the farm by varying the position of the gate according to upstream and downstream water levels and the farmer's flow requirements. Flows are calculated from the continuous electronic measurement of water levels and the gate position.
Channel Remediation
NVIRP is remodelling channel banks, piping sections of channel and lining channels with clay or plastic to minimise water lost to the system. These works are targeted toward seepage and leakage water losses, which account for up to 45 per cent of overall losses when using an open channel system.
Meter Installation
Electronic flow meters or Magflow meters are being installed to provide accurate electronic flow rate and volume measurement data to the main Goulburn-Murray Water office via a radio system. These meters provide greater accuracy than Dethridge meter outlets, which are no longer compliant with national metering standards.
To read more about technology being implemented by NVIRP, please click here
