Story: Farming and the environment

Irrigation channel

Irrigation channel

In regions such as Canterbury, which are dry in summer, productivity has been increased by irrigating pastures and crops. The water, which originates in the high-rainfall area of the Southern Alps, is either diverted from the main rivers by channels such as this one, or comes from underground water aquifers. Deep wells are drilled into aquifers and the water used for spray irrigation.

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How to cite this page:

Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, 'Farming and the environment - Effects on soil and water', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17904/irrigation-channel (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, published 24 Nov 2008