SMK Consultants has surveyed and designed irrigation projects ranging in size from 5 hectares to 5,000 hectares.  Our services in this field include complete survey analysis, layout design, earthwork design and the preparation of plans and specifications for Tendering purposes.  Through this work, we have established a good reputation for a professional approach to survey, design and construction supervision. To date, SMK has been involved with the survey and design of more than 60,000 hectares of irrigation for the production of cotton, fodder, small crops and orchards. Other projects include gully dam design, stock water storages, stock water reticulation schemes, domestic water advice and the survey and preparation of survey databases for flood plain management.  The Company's design skills are based on accurate surveying, modern computer assessment, design, and computer drafting. The Company operates Trimble GPS Equipment for use in real time and static situations.

SMK Consultants provide a Survey, Design and Construction Management service to the Irrigation Industry in the Gwydir, Namoi, Macintyre/Barwon, Balonne, Darling and Central Queensland river valleys.

Interest in, and use of, new technology associated with precision agriculture and water use efficiency have placed increased attention on the design and operation of irrigation and dryland development.  Of particular note are the Beeline data conversion, multiplane design for Geostar land levelling and EM-31 ground conductivity surveys.

Beeline data conversion can be used to produce reverse grade maps and cut/fill land levelling maps for use in improving irrigation field performance and productivity. They may also be used to produce contour maps suitable for incorporation into other data sets collected by the landholder, such as farm plans, irrigation mapping, crop plans, etc.  These maps can help growers to concentrate their resources on those areas needing attention, while leaving the better performing parts of the fields intact and ready for the next season. Of great interest, are the levels collected along tail-drains, which are areas often attributed with watering problems.  These may be processed and recommendations made to rectify problems without touching the field/s.  Acquisition of Beeline data can be carried out as part of the normal day-to-day farming operations, with no time or cost implications.  

 

Depending on the application, earthwork volumes can be substantially reduced due to the compatibility of the design with natural drainage patterns.  Multiplane software is particularly useful in this regard, for designing both irrigation or dryland areas. This program incorporates survey information to produce designs utilising natural topography on a number of planes, and can include drains, roads etc. Once processed, the information is downloaded into Geostar equipped laser buckets for construction. Drains or roads can be built as part of the same operation without the need for additional survey, design or setout.  This system is particularly suited to levelling under lateral move and centre pivot irrigators, as well as dryland areas where crop inundation during rain events causes crop losses or yield reductions.  

 

Electromagnetic ground conductivity surveys (EM surveys) are rapidly becoming an essential part of improving farm performance and future development. The EM-31 can be used to measure soil conductivity to a depth of up to 4 metres, which in turn provides information such as:

·        Suitability of area for development

·        Detecting soil salinity

·        Location of groundwater monitoring devices

·        Location of sites for soil sampling

·        Suitability of sites for water storages

·        Detection of seepage areas in drains, channels and storages

·        Survey of embankments to assess compaction properties

·        Collection of soil data for property and catchment planning

·        Locating buried services, tanks, drums etc.

·        Groundwater contamination and landfill studies as well as groundwater resource evaluations

 

The EM-31 is mounted on a 4-wheel motorbike and is equipped with GPS to enable accurate plotting of the machine position. The data is downloaded onto a computer and is used in conjunction with other data to produce an apparent conductivity map (sub-soil salinity map). Property boundaries and infrastructure details are added and the image can be overlayed onto a topographic map or aerial photograph to allow easier identification of problem areas. Using GPS co-ordinates from the map, particular problem areas or those requiring further investigation can be accurately located and monitored.

SMK Irrigation Consultants, along with their associated companies of M F-G Shaw and Associates and North West Environmental Services, are able to advise in many aspects of irrigation design and environmental services, including those related to Beeline data conversion, Multiplane design for Geostar land leveling and EM-31 surveys.  As an independent company with many years experience, SMK can offer a broad range of expertise and technology to improve the long-term future of your business. To obtain more information, contact the Moree or Goondiwindi offices to discuss your requirements.