The works addressed reduced water flow caused by a choke point, enhancing water delivery downstream and service for customers.
Goulburn-Murray Water has quickly completed desilting works along a section of the Waranga Western Channel this irrigation season thanks to its use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and GPS technology.
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G-MW recently completed desilting works along a 1.3km section of the channel near Tennyson.
The works took place from November 10 to December 2 after G-MW staff identified reduced water flow along the channel section.
G-MW civil and environmental services manager John Walker said a choke point along the section had been impacting efficient water delivery downstream.
“By completing these desilting works, we’ve been able to reduce the impact of that choke point and increase water flow in the area,” he said.
“These works will therefore improve service delivery for customers.”
Mr Walker said the LiDAR and GPS technology played a crucial role during the works.
Goulburn-Murray Water has used LiDAR and GPS technology to quickly complete desilting works.
He said the technology combination allowed crews to quickly identify where silt had built up along the waterway and where works would take place.
“The LiDAR and GPS technology has allowed us to complete these works accurately and in a more efficient manner,” he said.
“We have also completed these works during the current irrigation season without interrupting customer supply.”
G-MW’s latest channel desilting works come after the water corporation desilted more than 70km of channels during its 2025 winter works period in the irrigation off-season between May 15 and August 14.
The winter works period is when most of G-MW’s channel desilting works take place.
Mr Walker said LiDAR and GPS technology would continue to play an important role for all of G-MW’s channel desilting works.
“These two pieces of technology have allowed our crews to feel more confident that problem areas of silt build-up will be accurately and efficiently remedied when desilting works take place during either the irrigation season or the winter works period,” he said.
