Lake Cargelligo upgrades underway

The upgrades will ensure the long-term functionality of the off-river storage system’s structures, protecting against erosion and overtopping, and improve water security for the local communities and WaterNSW customers.

“It’s fantastic to get these works underway following the success of trial embankment works and the drawdown of the lake to 50% capacity, which are both essential to safely complete the upgrades,” General Manager Regional Operations Ben Coffey said.

“We’ve also used this time to prepare the project area by setting up environmental controls and heritage protection measures as we embark on replacing the 117-year-old embankments.”

WaterNSW is partnering with civil engineering company Diona on the project, with the first stage of major work to be complete by September 2023, and a second stage planned between May and September 2024, weather permitting.

The local community can expect to see major work including tree and earth removal, earth works, bore drilling, and trench digging.

“We’re looking to improve the structure’s sand filtering system and widen and raise the embankments with more suitable materials and rocks.”

“We are completing the work in two stages to ensure water resources are available to water users and customers and maintain recreational activities on the lake during the summer peak usage season.”

The three embankments undergoing upgrades are standardised earth-fill embankments that provide water storage for irrigation, recreation, and domestic supply.

The upgrades are required following damage from historic floods, and major flooding in 2016.

Learn more about the Lake Cargelligo embankment dam project.