Extensive areas of the valley floors in the Western Australian Wheatbelt are already affected by shallow saline groundwaters and these areas are likely to grow for decades as groundwater levels are still rising. The use of engineering methods such as deep (2–3 m) drains and pumping to control shallow groundwater is increasing. More than 5000 km of deep drains are estimated to have been constructed to protect low-lying land from salinisation and to help rehabilitate marginally saline lands.

groundwater; flood; salinity