The Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme commenced operation in 1987. The original scheme, based on the Cascade Dam was augmented in 2012 with water supplied by the Frome Dam. It operates under self-management arrangements through an elected board of Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme Limited.
The region is one of the most productive agricultural areas in Tasmania and supports a highly diverse variety of poppies, potatoes and vegetable cropping, dairying, piggeries and more recently, grass seed and essential oils.
The augmented scheme delivers a total of 6,954 ML over the summer irrigation season.
Water for the scheme is collected in Frome Dam (supplied by and Cascade dams (supplied by Cascade River and Firth Creek) and delivered to irrigators via 49km of pipelines. A pump station is incorporated into the scheme at Toronna.
‘In the Winnaleah (Augmentation) Irrigation Scheme, a Farm Water Access Plan is required to cover all land that Tasmanian Irrigation water is applied and to all dams that are used to store Tasmanian Irrigation water. Click here for information on Farm Water Access Plans
All matters regarding operation of this scheme should be directed to the Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme operator.