Tackling Drought Head-On: Daisy Dam Cover Installed at Wandells Farm, Grass Patch - Esperance WA

When it comes to smart water management, every drop counts — especially in regional Australia. Recently, Daisy team members Shane and Jaidan, hit the road for a 741km trip to Wandells Farm in Grass Patch, near Esperance, to deliver a new Daisy Modular Dam Cover System in partnership with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).

Working alongside local farmer Scott Wardell and the team from South East Premium Wheatgrowers Association (SEPWA), the installation forms part of a best-practice water management trial designed to help local farms prepare for extended drought conditions and maximise every litre of stored water.

A Smarter Way to Save Water

The project focused on covering the property’s main dam, which has a high water level of approximately 38m x 41m and can drop to just 20m x 20m. With the dam already at capacity, the Daisy team floated three separate cover modules (each made up of four panels) onto the surface. This modular setup allows the covers to rise and fall with the water level, making removal and repositioning simple as the dam level drops.

Each module features a weighted wind skirt that gently pulls the edges just below the waterline — preventing wind lift and keeping the covers stable — while 10 star pickets were installed around the perimeter to anchor the modules securely. The pump float was carefully located between the cover modules to maintain consistent water access. The covers form a robust, floating island-style system tethered together and anchored in position.

Install in Progress 1

Install in Progress 2

Built for Real-World Conditions

Scott Wardell and the SEPWA team are using this installation as part of a long-term drought resilience project. The farm already features an inflow meter connected to a 1-hectare catchment area — repurposed from CBH grain tarps — that channels rainfall directly into the dam. Even as little as 1–2mm of rain can generate 20,000 litres of inflow, thanks to immediate runoff with minimal soil absorption.

By pairing this setup with a Daisy Dam Cover, the site can now accurately track and validate water savings using an electronic water level sensor and metered output readings. Early data suggests that the new cover will save approximately 1.5 million litres of water per year — a massive reduction in evaporation loss that will directly support the farm’s goal of preparing for a two-year drought.

The Science of Evaporation Control

Based on BOM data from Salmon Gums, average daily evaporation sits at 4.46mm per day — that’s 4.46 litres per square metre. For a dam of 943.2m², that equates to:

• 4,206 litres lost every day, and

• 1,535,409 litres per year to evaporation alone.

Independent testing by AWTA shows Daisy Dam Covers stop 99.9% of evaporation, meaning the Grass Patch installation is set to save around 1,533,873 litres annually — water that stays where it’s needed most.

Designed for Practicality and Longevity

Daisy’s modular dam cover design allows each section to be easily handled, delivered, and installed on-site. The system’s flexibility means modules can be added or removed to match seasonal changes or fluctuating water levels, while still providing full coverage when the dam is at capacity.

The weighted skirts, tethering points, and simple star picket anchoring make installation straightforward and low-maintenance. As water inflow or livestock access requirements change, the modules can be reconfigured without compromising performance.

This practical, field-tested approach draws on Daisy’s 40+ years of experience in large-scale cover manufacturing — from commercial swimming pools to water storage systems — delivering proven reliability for rural and environmental applications.

Real Results, Real Collaboration

For Scott Wardell and the SEPWA team, the success of this project highlights the importance of combining innovation, local knowledge, and reliable technology. “We’re preparing for the survival of a two-year drought,” Scott said — and now, with a Daisy Dam Cover in place, Wandells Farm is better equipped to do just that.

Projects like this one show what’s possible when government, industry, and manufacturers work together to create real-world solutions for regional Australia.

And after a successful install? The Daisy team even managed to squeeze in a well-earned visit to Lucky Bay — a fitting finish to a job that’s making a big difference where it matters most.