Eumundi Voice Issue 121, 10 July 2025

COMMUNITY

Construction commences on Lake Macdonald Dam

Seqwater has commenced construction to upgrade Lake Macdonald Dam to ensure the dam meets modern engineering and design standards. The upgrade will allow the dam to continue to operate safely and provide water security for years to come.

Seqwater Executive General Manager Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery, Sarah Dixon said, “While Lake Macdonald Dam continues to operate safely under normal conditions, Seqwater is committed to investing in the longevity of the important local water source.”

The large siphon system has been switched on and is partially lowering the lake to allow the works to be undertaken safely. Works have also commenced on the temporary upstream cofferdam, with a 250-tonne crane onsite.

More than 1,500 tonnes of sheet piles are being delivered to form the structure of the cofferdam, and more than 3,000 rock bags – each weighing approximately 8 tonnes – are being placed downstream of the cofferdam to provide additional structural support. In addition, more than 80,000 tonnes of rockfill are being delivered to build the cofferdam.

This will be the first major upgrade of Lake Macdonald Dam since its raise in 1980. More than 150 jobs are expected to be supported over the life of the project. Visit: t.ly/9Luey.