Enabling Low-Impact Pumped Hydro with Soil and Erosion Insights
Services: Determining Erosion Risk and Land Suitability for Pumped Hydro Schemes
Locations: multiple locations around Australia
Date: Ongoing
Field investigations are important to assess soil fertility, structural integrity and erosion risk.
Our Scope
Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. Acting as a “water battery,” these schemes store and release energy by moving water between upper and lower reservoirs. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture.
Verterra was engaged to assess and minimise these risks and provide scientifically grounded recommendations to support sustainable development and regulatory approvals.
Challenges
Soil disturbance: Construction of reservoirs and access infrastructure can alter soil structure and fertility, impacting long-term land use.
Erosion risk: Steep terrain and exposed soils during construction increase the risk of erosion and sediment movement.
Agricultural land use uncertainty: Project developers needed a clear understanding of which areas could remain productive post-development.
Regulatory requirements: Detailed, site-specific assessments were required to ensure environmental risks were identified and addressed early as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Verterra’s Solution
Verterra implemented a two-phase assessment process:
Desktop Studies: Reviewed landform data, historical mapping, and existing land capability assessments to develop a preliminary understanding of soil resources and erosion potential.
Field Investigations: Collected soil samples to assess fertility, structural integrity, and erosion risk. Evaluated ongoing land suitability for grazing and cropping in and around disturbance zones.
The data was synthesised into updated soil maps and suitability classifications, identifying areas of higher erosion potential and reduced productivity. This gave project developers the tools needed to integrate soil management into their broader environmental planning as part of the EIA.
Project Highlights
Delivered updated, GIS-integrated land suitability maps
Conducted rigorous soil sampling and fertility testing
Identified erosion-prone areas to inform design and construction mitigation strategies
Supported landholder and stakeholder engagement with visual and data-backed insights
Outcomes
Proactive risk management: Developers can plan erosion control and soil rehabilitation strategies early in the design phase.
Minimise environmental impact: Roads and reservoirs could be sited with minimal long-term impact on productive land, with opportunities identified to maintain or restore agricultural productivity in non-permanent disturbance areas.
Want to learn more about our work in the energy sector? Contact our team.