Main dam under construction April 2006.
See story about this system design at bottom of page


View of dam with adgingbongs from atop of our Comet Windmill.
The windmill pumps dam water to a distribution tank that gravity feeds water
to selected points. Over flow returns to the dam, either to food ponds or into main dam.


Bullrushes colonizing atolls. Tumbleweeds were cast into the water to
fast track habitat for shrimp and small fish

As Bullrush matures it is periodically cut for mulch.
From a single clump of Rush, a 100 fold + increase p.a. is gained.
Comet Windmill on right background.


An adgingbong cut into the foreshore flows water from the dam into it for the first time.
Over time as soil moisture surrounding the adgingbong increases it will be planted to useful tree crops.


A series of parallel adgingbongs cut on the foreshore


On the raised earthbank of the dam a "turkeys nest" has been cut. It fills when the dam is at capacity.


Useful ledge cut and shaped above the high watermark


Part of adgingbong system that receive the overflow from the main dam


Water Lily and Nardoo growing on waters edge


Turkey's Nest and a series of ponds on the raised earth bank of the dam. Return overflow
from the Comet Windmill may be directed either to the dam or the raised ponds as required.


Raised Ponds looking back from the other end.


Our first catch. 14 month old Yellow Belly.

Main Dams surface water capacity 2.5 million litres.
Evaporation from heat and wind is 2.5 metres p.a.
Variable water depth 1 - 3 metres

A combination of earthworks and selected plant species that open and condition the soil have been utilized to increase the water holding capacity of the soil surrounding the dam. This additional available water then a) is utilized by selected productive plant species, b) trickles back into the dam as water levels recede. Hedge plants and taller trees will greatly reduce wind whilst providing cool shade over water. These effects will significantly reduce evaporation (perhaps by up to 1 metre p.a. and assist with oxygen retention in the water. Leaf fall will in turn become part of the aquatic food chain. Over time, the system will develop its own frost free micro-climate. Species planted to date include: leucaena and saltbush as hedges for windbreaks and soil conditioning. Date Palms, Paw Paw, Bunya Pine, Plum, Figs and Mulberry have been planted and are growing well. Once frost and wind protection trees are grown we will trial some sub-tropical fruit tree species.

The system is designed to include waterfowl. Once pioneer species are fully established throughout,
plantings of productive tree crops will cover the entire circumference of the dam and along the banks of the adgingbongs. The ponds on the raised earth bank will be managed as a perennial/annual vegetable system.