Under a blazing WA sunny sky in March, Lance Mudgway and an eager team embarked on a skills-building tour of two mentoring properties. Their first stop, Wilga Farm is a regeneratively managed livestock enterprise and farm-stay. Here, farm managers Brett and Nat Ridley under Lance Mudgway’s mentorship, have been through a design and planning process to create a network of contours to slow the flow of water across the subtly sloping terrain. On the day, the team used a laser level to mark the contour followed closely with a grader. The machine operator made several passes to ensure that both the depth and shape of the contours suited the local terrain.
A timely rain event two weeks later validated their efforts – the new contours efficiently captured surface flows, allowing water to gradually seep into the soil profile (pictured at left). Over the coming winter, we anticipate ground cover will establish in and around the new contours.
The second stop at Sunnyside Family Farm demonstrated a different strategy to the team. The project vision on this regeneratively managed farm by Michael Coghill is to extend the duration of water in creeks, dams, soils and pastures. To achieve this, Lance and Michael designed a series of rock weir structures along a natural flowline. These structures are engineered to slow water movement and spread it across the landscape, mimicking nature’s own method of surface water management. Locally sourced rock was hand-laid by the team, with machinery following to add soil. Over the coming years we anticipate that vegetation will take over the structures.
The final stop of this wonderful day was a BBQ dinner with locally sourced meat, salads, and drinks!
This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Click on photos to enlarge. Contours on Wilga Farm and rock weir construction at Sunnyside Family Farm!
