Ord Irrigation Area hydrology
20 Apr 2016
The Ord Irrigation Area is a large, highly productive agricultural area near Kununurra, Western Australia. The farms in the area receive water from Lake Argyle via a network of storages and channels.
Major components of the water supply for the Ord Irrigation Area – the Kununurra Diversion Dam and Lake Argyle – were completed between 1963 and 1972. The initial capacity of Lake Argyle was 5,641 GL. This was increased to 10,763 GL in 1996. As well as providing irrigation water, Lake Argyle contributes to local mining, fishing and tourism industries. A hydropower station generates electricity for local towns and industries.
Irrigation supply infrastructure has been progressively constructed since the 1970’s to allow development of irrigation farms. By 2010, most of the Ivanhoe Valley and Packsaddle Plains areas were developed, giving a total of 16,500 ha of irrigated land.
The Ord Irrigation Area Stage II expansion allowed development of a further 7,400 hectares on the Goomig (Weaber Plain) area. Further development is planned for the Knox Plain and Ord (West Bank) areas.
Crops grown include chickpeas, chia, red grapefruit, mangoes, melons, hybrid seeds and sandalwood.
More details of the Lake Argyle and the Ord Irrigation Area are given at the Lake Argyle website.