Previous Projects WISALTS has been active over the past 25 years installing successful Whittington interceptor bank systems on various properties across the Wheat Belt and South Western Australia. Follow the links below to find out more about our work. More case studies will be added as they come to hand.
WISALTS in the Vineyard From the verge of bankruptcy to a hopeful future: A case study
In March 2006, the WISALTS consultants visited a property at Bindoon to monitor progress with an interceptor bank system installed in 2004. The property owner had experienced losses in his grapevines due to waterlogging. He approached Gavin Drew and Noel Powell to take a look at the problem and recommend solutions.
Gavin and Noel had surveyed and installed banks lined with plastic across the top of the paddock at the fenceline and down the right hand side; this cut off the water which was coming from the neighbour’s property further uphill and allowed the waterlogged patch in the vineyard, half way down the hill, to dry out and become productive again. On our visit, the owner advised that he had had a 40% increase in grape yield in just two years since the banks had been installed. In addition, orange trees situated at the top of the vineyard and just below the top bank were lush and full of fruit, a stark contrast to the leafless specimens which Gavin and Noel had found on their first visit.
New vines starting to flourish where the previously waterlogged specimens had died. Note the orange trees at the top of the picture and the slope from neighbouring properties.
Sealed Whittington Interceptor Bank installed along property boundary to manage surface and sub-surface water run off from neighbouring property. Some of the boulders removed while installing the Whittington Interceptor Bank along the top of the property – note the slope above the boundary fence where excess water was entering the property.
WISALTS President, Noel Powell with the now-flourishing orange trees at the top of the property. The property owner advised that the water from the nearby soak (below the top fenceline) was now fresh and he had used it to water the vines recently. There were some healthy rushes growing in the soak – an indicator of fresh water. This was also the case in the large dam which had become less saline and was now also suitable for watering the vines.
There was evidence that, in places, water had flowed over the top bank in a heavy rain event but this would be solved by cleaning out the small channel behind the bank, which the property owner had been advised to do at the time of installation. This also points to the need to follow up installation work over time to ensure that it is achieving the desired results.
Happy with production in the Valley
September 2008 Field Day
Wisalts Consultants using the wire to check the dam for any new leaks.
For more information or to contact a consultant to discuss waterlogging and salinity problems on your property, contact the Secretary on wisalts@optusnet.com.au.
Disclaimer : Excellent results have been achieved through the installation of WISALTS or Whittington Interceptor Banks on many properties in Western Australia, in South Australia and in New South Wales. However, to be accredited as a WISALTS BANK, all installations have to be planned and surveyed by a licensed WISALTS Consultant. There are many banks which have been installed over the years by others, which are not WISALTS banks and which have not been accredited by the society and which may not work.
WISALTS in the Vineyard From the verge of bankruptcy to a hopeful future: A case study
In March 2006, the WISALTS consultants visited a property at Bindoon to monitor progress with an interceptor bank system installed in 2004. The property owner had experienced losses in his grapevines due to waterlogging. He approached Gavin Drew and Noel Powell to take a look at the problem and recommend solutions.
Gavin and Noel had surveyed and installed banks lined with plastic across the top of the paddock at the fenceline and down the right hand side; this cut off the water which was coming from the neighbour’s property further uphill and allowed the waterlogged patch in the vineyard, half way down the hill, to dry out and become productive again. On our visit, the owner advised that he had had a 40% increase in grape yield in just two years since the banks had been installed. In addition, orange trees situated at the top of the vineyard and just below the top bank were lush and full of fruit, a stark contrast to the leafless specimens which Gavin and Noel had found on their first visit.
New vines starting to flourish where the previously waterlogged specimens had died. Note the orange trees at the top of the picture and the slope from neighbouring properties.
Sealed Whittington Interceptor Bank installed along property boundary to manage surface and sub-surface water run off from neighbouring property. Some of the boulders removed while installing the Whittington Interceptor Bank along the top of the property – note the slope above the boundary fence where excess water was entering the property.
WISALTS President, Noel Powell with the now-flourishing orange trees at the top of the property. The property owner advised that the water from the nearby soak (below the top fenceline) was now fresh and he had used it to water the vines recently. There were some healthy rushes growing in the soak – an indicator of fresh water. This was also the case in the large dam which had become less saline and was now also suitable for watering the vines.
There was evidence that, in places, water had flowed over the top bank in a heavy rain event but this would be solved by cleaning out the small channel behind the bank, which the property owner had been advised to do at the time of installation. This also points to the need to follow up installation work over time to ensure that it is achieving the desired results.
Happy with production in the Valley
September 2008 Field Day
Wisalts Consultants using the wire to check the dam for any new leaks.
For more information or to contact a consultant to discuss waterlogging and salinity problems on your property, contact the Secretary on wisalts@optusnet.com.au.
Disclaimer : Excellent results have been achieved through the installation of WISALTS or Whittington Interceptor Banks on many properties in Western Australia, in South Australia and in New South Wales. However, to be accredited as a WISALTS BANK, all installations have to be planned and surveyed by a licensed WISALTS Consultant. There are many banks which have been installed over the years by others, which are not WISALTS banks and which have not been accredited by the society and which may not work.
