Broadacre Drainage Mapping & Water Management Solution

Location: Western Australia Great Southern Project Overview Swan Aerial Services was engaged by a broadacre farming client following significant crop losses due to paddock flooding. Approximately 150 hectares of productive land had been lost, prompting the need for a long-term drainage and water management solution. The goal was to provide accurate ground data to support the design and implementation of effective drainage across large paddock areas. Client Objective The client required a practical and scalable solution to: Prevent recurring flooding events Improve surface water runoff across paddocks Identify natural fall and drainage lines Enable precision grading using modern farm machinery Solution Delivered We conducted a high-resolution LiDAR survey across the affected paddocks to generate an accurate representation of the ground surface. This allowed us to deliver: A bare-earth terrain model (DTM) showing true ground levels Detailed contour mapping to visualise fall and drainage direction Identification of low points and water pooling zones Actionable data to guide ditch and drainage layout planning The dataset provides a clear foundation for informed decision-making, removing guesswork from drainage planning. How the Data Will Be Used The client is now integrating the data into: T3rra software for drainage design and planning John Deere machine control systems for precision grading and earthworks This ensures that drainage works can be carried out accurately and efficiently, directly guided by real terrain data. Outcome / Value to the Client Clear understanding of paddock water flow behaviour Ability to design drainage with confidence Reduced risk of future crop loss Improved paddock usability and productivity Seamless integration with modern precision agriculture systems Why This Approach Works Traditional methods often struggle to capture subtle elevation changes across large paddocks. By using LiDAR-derived terrain data, we can detect small variations in height that have a major impact on how water moves across the land. This enables: Smarter drainage design More efficient earthworks Long-term improvements to farm performance Challenges & Approach Challenge: Large-scale flooding across relatively flat terrain Approach: Capture highly detailed elevation data to reveal subtle fall and natural drainage paths Challenge: Need for practical, implementable outcomes Approach: Deliver data compatible with T3rra and John Deere systems for direct use in the field Key Takeaway By combining accurate terrain mapping with modern farm technology, this project turned a major loss event into a data-driven solution, giving the client the tools to reclaim productivity and prevent future flooding.