The best clay for sealing a dam is white clay because it will create a permanent seal. Avoid using red clay, because it is dispersive, and it ill let water travel through the wall and exit the dam
Author Archives: Lindsey Angus Hughson
Dam Building
A Beginner’s Guide To Building Your First Earth Dam
Quick Answer: Building an earth dam starts with getting the soil right — you need ...
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Dam Building
Roy Hill Project: Delivering A Major Dam In Mining Country
Roy Hill Project: Delivering A Major Dam In Mining Country Gina Rinehart’s $10 billion Roy ...
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Garden Watering Becoming A Luxury For Sydneys Rich “Water in NSW is too cheap” claimed economist Richard Tooth, talking about Sydney Water’s most recent pricing proposals. “Water costs $2 a tonne. that’s 5 litres for a cent” he said “Topsoil sets you back 10 times that and also you pay for delivery,” claimed Dr Tooth …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company Design concepts for the dam refurbishment & rehabilitation at Robert Oatley Olives. Robert Oatley was one of Australia’s greatest yachtsmen – known for owning the nine-time Sydney-Hobart-winning yacht Wild Oats XI. He owned Hamilton Island & Rosemount Wines – which was the …
Quick Answer: Modern dam design combines proven earthworks engineering with water-smart features: deep storage to reduce evaporation, reinforced spillways, aquatic planting for bank stabilisation, and covers where evaporation is critical. The fundamentals haven’t changed — get the clay right, compact properly, and size the spillway for the worst 100-year flood you’ll see on that site. …
Government Doesnt Give A Dam ‘Dam-avoidance’ has penetrated practically every level of Australian Government. No big new water storage’s have been built for years. Since 1990, the population of Australia has expanded almost 50 percent – however there has been pathetic 3 percent increase in dam storage. Despite the drought, we know that there always …
Rapid Decline: Dam Levels Drying Out At Alarming Speed The total active storage in rural dams on 18 November 2019 was 29.6%. This was a decrease of 0.7% since last week. These levels will decrease more rapidly over the December, January and February period. If no significant rainfall is received, in a worst case scenario, …
NSW Farm Dam Water Levels Still Falling With No Reprieve The total active storage percentage of rural water supplies in NSW dams on 11 November 2019 was 30.3%. This was a decrease of 0.4% since last week. About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. …
Still Bone Dry: When The Rain Just Refuses To Fall Today is the first day in history where it didn’t rain anywhere in Australia Not a single raindrop has fallen across the whole land mass of Australia. Australia is effected by weather conditions from several different influences, so that makes it a very rare incident …
Political Folly: When Leaders Ignore Australias Dam Crisis National Party member & Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says there is no link between climate change and the current worsening bushfires. He said it is just the ravings of capital-city greenies. Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt calls McCormack “a dangerous fool”. Much of Australia agrees. About …
Federal Government Pushes For New Dam Building Across Australia States should ‘raise their fingers and do a little bit with us’ says Federal Water Minister David Littleproud New South Wales “has actually done a great deal of heavy lifting however other states have not” he said Littleproud has warned it will take a minimum of …
Another Week, Another Drop: Dam Storages Slip 0.3 Percent The total active storage percentage of rural water supplies on 4 November 2019 was 30.7%. This was a decrease of 0.3% since last week. Significant rainfall was recorded near Bourke and surrounding areas over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd Nov 2019. Around 95mm was observed …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company Northern NSW marijuana capital gets dry mouth Mullumbimby Council have announced that if there is no rainfall in the Wilsons Creek catchment in the following week, Level 1 water constraints will be implemented in Mullumbimby. This follows a severe decline last …
Federal Water Minister Linked To $20 Million Water Fraud Scandal The Federal Minister in charge of Water Resources David Littleproud has family links to the $20 million Murray-Darling dam water fraud – which has led to Police filing charges in Queensland. David Littleproud’s relative, John Norman, is the kingpin of the alleged $20 million fraud …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Big Ditch Dam Building Company has been constructing and repairing farm dams across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every farm dam built to the right standards — correct clay, proper compaction, adequate spillway — …
Kempsey Faces Growing Concerns Over Dam Water Supply Kempsey Shire Council water and sewer manager Wesley Trotter said Kempsey’s water supply now entirely reliant on rainfall About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company …
Long-Range Forecasts Offer A Glimmer Of Summer Rainfall Hope The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Climate and Water Briefing dated 22 October predicts a 50% chance of summer rain across NSW from November to January. However, rainfall is likely to be below average across most of the New South Wales for November. The drier outlook continues …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Big Ditch Dam Building Company has been constructing and repairing farm dams across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every farm dam built to the right standards — correct clay, proper compaction, adequate spillway — …
An Important Message For Australian Landowners A public service announcement for unhappily married acreage-owning men who hope for a better future About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company has built and repaired farm …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Australia faces recurring drought cycles, with inland NSW, QLD, and SA most severely affected. Farm dams are the most effective on-property drought response — providing water security independent of town supply or rainfall. Size your dam for 2–3 years …
Dam-it, thats low! . Dam levels across NSW hit record lows. It’s developing into a glass half empty situation with no rain in the long range weather forecast through to February 2020 About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site …
Alan Jones rains tears over drought Alan Jones has broken down on his television program as he described the plight of drought-stricken farmers. About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company has built and …
Quick Answer: The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) has historically offered rebates on on-farm emergency water infrastructure through schemes like the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate. Eligible primary producers can claim a percentage of eligible construction costs back. Programs change — always confirm current availability with the RAA or your state DPI. Get 25% of …
Farmer Porn October 2019 Advertising Poster There’s one thing that farmers really like – and when they get it, they like it long, hard & wet About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company …
NSW Dam Levels Slide Further In September 2019 Update The total active storage percentage of rural dam water supplies on 30 September 2019 was 32.6% of the total active storage capacity. This was a decrease of 0.4% since last week. The total dam storage level of urban water supplies on 30 September 2019 was 49.1% …
Dam design at Armidale A new 20,000,000 litre water security project for the ultra premium super-fine merino fleece producer in Australia and 3 time winner of the premium global Ermenegildo Zegna fine wool award. Zegna is unique in the men’s fashion world for owning 100% of its supply chain. Ermenegildo Zegna spins ultrafine merino wool …
NSW Drought Projects Score $50 Million In Government Funding The State Government has reached into it’s pockets and pulled out $50 million for the current drought dilemma The NSW Government has decided to make it rain money to confront the state’s H2O crisis situation. The Minister for Water announced the $50m to target a number …
Quick Answer: Maximising summer rainfall into your dam means keeping the catchment clear, maintaining inlet channels and diversion banks in good repair, and ensuring the spillway isn’t silted up before the wet season. A clean, well-shaped catchment can double the run-off into your dam compared to a neglected one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Ak4VLu-2E Big Ditch’s ‘Catch Every Drop’ …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Australia faces recurring drought cycles, with inland NSW, QLD, and SA most severely affected. Farm dams are the most effective on-property drought response — providing water security independent of town supply or rainfall. Size your dam for 2–3 years …
Quick Answer: The biggest challenges in dam construction are sourcing and placing good clay, managing water during earthworks, designing a spillway that handles extreme rainfall events, and building on difficult ground — dispersive soils, fractured rock, or steep topography. Every site throws something different at you. Big wind. Big challenges. Big wall. Big dam. Dungog …
Big Dam Buttresses: Built Thick For A Reason One of our dozers, the D6T XL working the north spillway at Dungog in extreme winds & ferocious bulldust. About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building …
Moving Mountains Of Earth: The Art Of Pushing Big Dirt Pushing big dirt for a big dam with Big Henry at Dungog February 2019 About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company has built …
Arabella Project Day 7 Sunday at Tonys Place A Sunday morning at Tony’s Place in Dungog before building some more dams – investigating one of the world’s greatest sheds, and admiring 2,000 acres of some of the most beautiful, and most valuable rural land holdings in Australia About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company …
Arabella Day 6: Wrestling Boggy Conditions And Winning About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company has built and repaired farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every project is …
Life On The Edge: Inside The World Of Heavy Earthmoving Machine Operators About Big Ditch Big Ditch Dam Building Company builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection. Big Ditch Dam Building Company has built and repaired farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 …
Arabella Dam Build Begins: Breaking Ground On Day One Today was day one of our massive five dam 100 mgl ‘Arabella Project’ on 2000 prime acres near Dungog NSW. These are the before photos of dams 1 & 2 shot at 2,000 feet, and then the visual concepts we working towards for both. The brief …
Desalination On Standby: Sydneys Dam Levels Force Emergency Response A spokesman for Don Harwin, the urban water minister, said households would pay as much as $35-a-year extra to cover the plant’s operations. He also said the public should follow the Water Wise rules as promoted by Sydney Water. These include avoiding watering lawns and gardens …
Scorching Temperatures Trigger Fresh Water Restriction Warnings As most residents battle the heat, Orange’s water supply has not suffered as much as the temperature gauge and weeks of sunny days might suggest. Torrential rainfall in the second week of January meant the stormwater harvesting systems and the Macquarie River pipeline contributed 71 megalitres to Suma …
Beating The Big Heat: How Large Dams Keep Water Supply Flowing Canberra’s water provider now has the ACT’s bigger reservoirs on stream to meet the needs of the Territory and Queanbeyan as the big heat maintains its grip on the region. Icon Water’s Owen Gould says the utility turned on the Cotter and Googong Dams …
When Coal Mines Rob Your Dams: The Hidden Water Cost Of Mining Two coal mines in Greater Sydney’s catchment area are likely to be diverting millions of litres of water daily from reservoirs, an independent panel has found, prompting calls for a halt to further mining. The panel’s “initial report”, released before Christmas, found it …
Quick Answer: Regular dam inspections — visual checks every 6–12 months — catch problems before they become expensive failures. The key things to look for: seepage on the downstream batter, cracks or settlement in the wall, vegetation overgrowth, spillway damage, and stock damage at the waterline. Catching these early has saved many farms from losing …
Integrated water management approach in Myanmar Myanmar is a rainy country, endowed with a wealth of rivers, streams and bodies of water. And while average annual rainfall in the Dry Zone is less than 1,000 millimeters, coastal regions can receive over 5,000 millimeters of rain over the same period. In other words, Myanmar on the …
Dreaming Dam Big: One Visionarys Outsized Water Ambition The theme of dam buiilding is a subject that creates a lot of disputes, yet there is little doubt that once built, many of them are among the most stunning of human-made structures. When it comes to ranking the biggest dams, it depends on whether we are …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company Frequently Asked Questions How much does it cost to winter performance of hydroelectric dams: what changes when it’s cold? Costs vary significantly depending on dam size, soil conditions, location, and access. Big Ditch provides fixed-price quotes after a site inspection. Contact our …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company Frequently Asked Questions How much does it cost to dead storage and why does it matter for your dam?? Costs vary significantly depending on dam size, soil conditions, location, and access. Big Ditch provides fixed-price quotes after a site inspection. Contact our …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company Hoover dam was built in the 1930’s and we know that infrastructure deteriorates with time. So when will it need significant repair or replacement? No expense was spared in the quality of the design and construction of Hoover Dam. It is an …
Before and after You need big machines to build big dams This week, Mandela and BJK proved that their Michelangelo game was solid – they just finished repainting the D7 ready for another summer season of dozing. The newest looking dozer in town heads out to Hat Head tomorrow for its first job of the …
Quick Answer: A farm dam can become a natural swimming pool by managing water quality, controlling algae, fencing stock access, and establishing aquatic plantings to filter the water. The result is a low-maintenance, chemical-free swimming environment — provided the dam is structurally sound and water quality is regularly tested before anyone gets in. Key Takeaways …
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company 📋 Quick Answer Big Ditch Dam Building Company has been constructing and repairing farm dams across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every farm dam built to the right standards — correct clay, proper compaction, adequate spillway — …