Reducing evaporation losses

Abstract

Australia is employing mitigation technologies to counter annual evaporation losses from irrigation storage dams and channels. Annual evaporation losses from these storages are estimated to be around 1.32GL/yr and up to 2.88GL/yr. A water balance approach provides a practical approach for estimating aggregate losses due to evaporation. The accuracy of this method depends greatly on the accuracy of the equipment used to measure the change in water depth. Monitoring systems and data analysis techniques have recently been commercialized by Aquatech Consulting as the Irrigate Seepage and Evaporation Meter. Chemical covers have been promoted as a low cost method to reduce evaporation losses. These products are generally biodegradable and there is a need to reapply frequently (between three and ten days). Monolayers also offer much potential for affecting evaporation savings but inconsistent evaporation saving performance has limited their adoption in Australia.