Remote Monitoring
The WaterSmart Pastoral
Production™ Project officer, Colleen James and Mount Ive
Station owner Len Newton traveled to all water points on Mount Ive
Station logging GPS coordinates, after some consideration
decided to monitor 7 sites remotely.
Tim Stockman of Stockman Electronics
has professionally planned a telemetry system using radio coverage
maps and our GPS data to ensure all systems meet quality
demands.
Based on UHF transceivers from GME
Electrophone, along with custom designed modules and solid weather
proof enclosure, BP solar panels, user replaceable sealed
maintenance free batteries and steel reinforced conduit on exposed
cables the system is ideal for the harsh climates faced on Mount
Ive. The system we are using allows easy checking of tank status
from base station and vehicle, no computers!
The telemetry system has already shown benefits with reduced
bore runs and time and dollar savings.
Evaporation Control
As surface water is very limited on
Mount Ive the Newton’s are also trialling the AgFloat device
on Little Richards dam in an effort to reduce evaporation losses
and extend the life of the dam. AgFloat uses two recycled
waste materials, tyres and styrene, to form a highly flexible
buoyant cover for dams and other bodies of water that significantly
reduces water evaporation. Simple techniques are used to fill the
voids of the tyres with ground styrene foam, and then close the
units which are simply floated on the water. Both materials are
highly inert, and as the styrene only takes up its own weight in
water, the units have good buoyancy and mass.
The tyres float about two thirds
submerged moving the wind layer to about 70-100mm above the water,
this reduces the loss of humidity due to the wind action taking
water vapour away from the surface. The tyres also stop wave
action, which can be a significant cause of bank erosion. To
determine the number of AgFloat devices required the Mount Ive
Station staff measured the surface area of Little Richards dam in
Yarraman Paddock and project partner AgFloat sent out a shipment of
the evaporation control devices.
A common asked question specific to
these devices has been, is there any pollution causes by the
AgFloats? In studies conducted by AgFloat it was determined
that very small traces of zinc may be released in the water body.
Anecdotally higher levels of pollution would appear to be from
birds which use the AgFloats as places to land and drink from - and
of course defecate from. It is estimated that evaporation savings
are 70-80% on areas covered by the AgFloat tyres, which depending
on the evaporation rates and water costs in the area gives a cost
recovery period of around 3 years, more information can be found on
the AgFloat website at www.agfloat.com.au.
"Tyres only cover 70% of Little
Richards Dam, leaving enough room for stock to drink from.”
says Len.” They came on
the back of a semi in Lifesaver-type packs of about 8, we lifted
them off the truck with the tractor unbundled the AgFloats and
rolled them from the bank into the dam.”
During normal rain events the
AgFloat devices remained in place and were working very well,
however unexpected flash flooding caused the untethered tyres to
wash into the drain and out away from the dam. To lessen the
likelihood of this occurring again, the tyres were then collected
and re-floated and tethered together. The installation of the
AgFloat devices dramatically changed the appearance of the dam,
although once stock were familiar with the new environment there
was no negative impacts.
On Mount Ive Station project partners:
Stockman Electronics telemetry system
AgFloat Evaporation Control Devices
Mono Solar pumps installed by E P Windmills & Pumps
Bushman Tanks & Stokcrete troughs
