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Ewen Maddock Dam update
Dam open over Christmas
Plenty of locals will be happy to know they will be able to escape the heat and spend more time in the water with Ewen Maddock Dam set to remain open over summer before the rescheduled upgrade begins early next year.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the upgrades would now be delivered in two stages to minimise the closure of recreation areas.
“The new staged approach will reduce the amount of time water levels are lowered and also minimise the duration of closures to the lake’s recreation areas,” Dr Lynham said.
On-water recreation, including a designated swimming and beach area, will now remain open during summer.
Seqwater had re-issued a tender for the project after the initial process in July 2019 did not result in any viable tenders.
"Seqwater undertook a post-tender review to gauge the feedback from potential bidders and has updated the timing and scope of the project," Dr Lynham said.
"The project will now be delivered in two stages with the lake lowering and embankment work to take place next year after the wet season. This will be followed by work on the spillway in 2021.”
Work is expected to take up to 18 months, subject to weather conditions and other unexpected delays.
To undertake the upgrade safely, the lake’s water level needs to be lowered to about 60 per cent of its full supply level.
Seqwater will maximise production from its Ewen Maddock water treatment plant over summer and ahead of any lowering as well as making its required environmental releases.
“The upgrade of Ewen Maddock will increase the dam's resilience to extreme events and bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards," Dr Lynham said.
"The revised construction schedule will not increase any risks to dam safety.”
