Bankless channel irrigation layout is relatively new and has been in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys since the early nineties. It has become the layout of choice for all new flood irrigation layouts for growing rice and the associated rotation winter crops such as cereals and canola. Some pasture has also been grown.

In the last four years there has been a surge of interest in utilising the layout to grow row crops such as maize and it has been used in agro forestry lots.

The layout utilises channel below ground level for both supply and drainage. The layout also utilises high flow rates of water, and if managed well has minimal surface drainage of the field. The layout is similar to basin irrigation in that it uses large sized bays, but Bankless requires a slope for drainage. The layout is a similar shape and size to border check irrigation bays, however the Bankless channels bays are across the slope.

There is quite a lot of potential for this layout to be used with most crops with the advantages of quick water on and off, good drainage and low labour inputs.

This section, the pictures and diagrams are curtesy of David Williams.