Dams (excavated earth tanks)

See how to estimate the amount of water stored in a farm dam, or excavated earth tank, and how evaporation and usage can affect water reserves.

Contamination can affect the quality and appeal of drinking water for livestock. This page explores ways to prevent and treat contaminated farm dams.

Silt washed into dams can reduce storage volume and water quality, and increase the relative loss from evaporation. Explore information on desilting and clearing dams.

This interactive map is a guide for locating potential sites for new farm dams, and also provides information to help determine where existing dams may be at risk from dryland salinity.

Leaky farm dams are a significant problem in some areas of Western Australia, and there are several ways of dealing with the problem. The department recommends integrated surface water management wherever water erosion occurs and where water movement control or water harvesting is required.