Australian utility Sunwater has begun work at Fred Haigh Dam to repair scour damage caused by previous floods, restoring the functionality of the downstream spillway channel.
The initial stage of works, which began in early November, will continue until late December 2019, weather permitting.
The scouring, which resulted from the energy impact of flood water on the natural spillway channel, has been subject to regular monitoring. While there is no immediate dam safety risk, Sunwater has now deemed that works are necessary in working towards reinstating the area downstream of the spillway to its pre-flood condition.
Initial works in 2019 includes:
- Installing anchors within the natural spillway channel adjacent to the spillway chute.
- Filling scour holes with reinforced concrete to reduce possibility of further scour.
- Grading filled scour areas within the spillway channel to match the natural slope of channel.
- Earthworks to clear debris in the river channel and reduce water pooling next to the dam embankment wall.
