WISALTS Trial Site at Property of FJD (Dan) Keast, Dangin, Western Australia, Australia - 064

The south side of the creek line has a different problem from the north side of the creek. The north side has numerous "aquifers" terminating at the creek line and the south side is shallow "shedding ground" causing salt scalds. The shedding ground has three soil type horizons: A, B & C. The "C" Horizon here is about 1 metre deep and has a fairly even base layer of impervious soil which can be seen from the creek bed. There is a large catchment area of rising ground above the creek - only protected by contour banks. The contour banks prevent surface erosion but allow moisture to pass down through the "A" & "B" Horizons, then drift down over the impervious "C" Horizon to where it "tries" to reach the creek. Waterlogging and barley grass appear as the lower ground starts to deteriorate and collapse, due to waterlogging and a change in soil conditions. Finally the surface becomes bare and erosion begins. This photo shows a big area of soil which lost production unnecessarily and may never return now that so much topsoil has been eroded. These shedding type soils or seeps can be protected from salt problems by using the Whittington or WISALTS methods of soil conservation for controlling the soil moisture balance from the top of the hill to the valley floor. There are many similar problems to be seen anywhere in the state. The Whittington interceptor bank works particularly well on this type of country. This image is part of the WISALTS (Whittington Interceptor Sustainable Agriculture Land Treatment Society Incorporated) Collection.