Grayling

Not as far fetched as it seems.

There is a letter in the Times today recalling Sir Marcus Oliphant's proposal to flood Lake Eyre by blasting a channel from the Gulf of Spencer through to the Lake and in the process flood much of SA.

At the time the proposal was rejected because of the high levels of radiation in the area but also because he was considered a 'mad scientist'.

Perhaps it is worth looking at again.

G

louise4

How long ago did he suggest this?

Grayling

In the 1950's I think.

G

louise4

Well hopefully it is something else they can look at to stop future droughts, but it must be a lengthy process so not an instant help for now, or am i wrong

Grayling

He suggested using nuclear bombs

....but then he did help to invent the Atomic bomb so had a vested interest.

It does not sound such a far fetched idea now.

G

annqldau

According to this map it's already full of water...
http://www.environment.gov.au/water/...-eyre/map.html

Thought you said the radiation was already there not that he was going to cause it with the bombs he used.

Grayling

The water is unusable due to salt and it is dry much of the time.

Some radiation was already there due to the A bomb tests.

In theory it would flood a much larger area and create enought moisture to create rain over the Murray-Darling basin.

The area is 50/60 ft. below sea level so it could be feasible.

Perhaps a pipeline?

G

OzTennis

Other measures will be put in place - diverting water from agricultural uses (irrigation) if the situation worsens.

CSIRO have done a lot of work on 'seeding' clouds to produce rain - an alternative to putting sea water where the winds might pick it up and drop rain on the windward areas of the sea water!

Whatever, drastic times call for drastic action.

OzTennis

Grayling

Something has to happen.

Even if and when this drought breaks who is to say that it won't be repeated in future years.

G

annqldau

So how come you can't put sea water on to crops but if it evaporates into clouds and gets dumped it's safe, is the salt to heavy to get lifted up by evaporation???

Grayling

Yes.

That is how salt is gathered from salt pans....shallow areas are flooded with sea water and then the salt is collected after the water has evaporated

G

Buzzy--Bee

I'm not sure this can be called a drought any more, as that would indicate a potential return to normality. I think this could be the norm going on in. :-(

Buzzy

Amazulu

Yes. Australia's water management is pathetic but to be fair it is in the UK too.
WA needs to tap the Ord river in northern WA and get the water down here.

Grayling

Even more of a necessity for drastic action.

I get the impression that decision makers are waiting for something to happen (ie. rain) in order for the problem to simply go away.

G

Grayling

It seems that governments the world over are afraid to think long term.
Some, possibly, unpopular decisions are needed or it will remain a problem.

G