Dungowan Dam

Delivering

long-term

water

security

to

regional

economies

Harnessing a reliable water supply for industry and agriculture is crucial to sustainable economic and population growth. In regional New South Wales (NSW), SMEC has been supporting WaterNSW with the concept and detailed design for a new dam at Dungowan. The proposed 22.5GL earth and rockfill dam will provide greater water security for the regional city of Tamworth, and other townships in the Peel Valley.

As part of the detailed design phase, SMEC has undertaken geotechnical investigations, embankment design, spillway design, outlet works design (structural and hydro mechanical), decommissioning of the existing Dungowan Dam, and ancillary works including road design and utility supplies. SMEC has progressed the design, in line with anticipated program milestones, overcoming restricted access to the regional location, which is approximately 440km north of Sydney.

Following extreme drought events over the past 20 years, bulk water supply security has become a state priority, with the Dungowan Dam declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure by the New South Wales State Government. SMEC is pleased to support the delivery of Dungowan Dam which will contribute to building water resilience and security in an increasingly challenging environment. For rural communities, projects like this are vital in providing security and reliability of water supply, contributing to economic growth.

Client

WaterNSW

Location

Australia

Expertise

Hydropower & Dams Geotechnical Investigations

Over the past year working on Dungowan Dam, we have developed a deep understanding what makes this project unique and interesting. All of these previous learnings will be a great asset as we progress to the next phase of the project.

— Jonathon Reid, Chief Technical Principal, and Embankment Design Lead (SMEC)