Impacts and solutions: A scoping study on relative impacts of irrigation infrastructure on fish

This project is a scoping study designed to evaluate the impact of river water extraction for irrigation on fish numbers. Assessing the relative impact of different irrigation infrastructure types will identify which are lower impact and which may require mitigation measures. Infrastructure types to be examined will include: 1. intakes that extend towards the centre of the river; 2. intakes that are close to the bank; 3. intakes at the end of excavated blind channels that run perpendicular from the river; and 4. diversion channels that supply multiple properties. The difference between extraction from natural flow events and irrigation releases will also be examined as will the effect of pump size. The work is an important step in developing and prioritising best management practices to reduce direct impacts of water extraction on fish.