Tag Archives: water supply

a man standing in a rain shower
Dam Building, dam design, Dam repair

Repairing Cracks and Seepage in Earth Dams

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Earth dams are vital for water storage, flood control, irrigation, and environmental management. However, their safety and longevity are continually threatened by cracks and seepage—issues that, if neglected, can escalate into catastrophic failure.

Drawing on over 30 years of award-winning dam engineering experience, this in-depth guide provides a comprehensive overview of diagnosing, repairing, and preventing cracks and seepage in earth dams, integrating proven field practices, modern materials, and the latest diagnostic technologies.

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a pond with rocks and trees
Dam Building, dam design, Evaporation

Preparing Your Dam for Drought or Heavy Rainfall: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

As an expert dam builder with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with managing dams through extreme weather events.

Whether you’re a landholder with a farm dam or responsible for a larger water storage, preparing your dam for drought or heavy rainfall is essential for protecting your assets, ensuring water security, and safeguarding downstream communities. In this guide, we will help you learn how to prepare your dam effectively.

To effectively prepare your dam, understanding the specific risks associated with your location is key. Regularly assessing your dam’s condition will help you prepare your dam for changing weather patterns.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best practices, strategies, and maintenance routines to help your dam weather the extremes of drought and deluge.

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a fountain in a pond with trees and grass
Dam Building, dam design, Evaporation

How To Calculate the Right Size and Capacity for Your Farm Dam

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Calculating the right dam size and capacity for a farm dam requires balancing water demand, evaporation losses, catchment hydrology, and site-specific engineering factors. Here’s a systematic approach refined over decades of agricultural water management.

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Sydneys-Ambitious-Plan-to-Double-Water-Supply-through-Desalination
Dam Building

Sydney’s Ambitious Plan to Double Water Supply through Desalination

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

The New South Wales (NSW) Government is setting its sights on doubling the water supply from Sydney’s $2 billion desalination plant to counteract the anticipated rise in temperatures. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Australia is on the verge of experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2024, which is expected to heighten the risk of drought.

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Big-Ditch-Dam-Building-Company-Unpredictable-Drought-Ravages-NSW-A-Farmers-Tale-of-Struggle
Dam Building

Unpredictable Drought Ravages NSW: A Farmer’s Tale of Struggle

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

The unpredictability of the drought wreaking havoc in NSW is a stark reminder of the tenacity and will of the Australian people.

Australia, a country renowned for its stark environmental issues and contrasted beauty, is once again facing the terrible power of nature. Currently, towns and farmers in the state of New South Wales (NSW) are struggling due to an unpredictable drought, which poses a severe threat. We go deep into this dilemma in this blog article, telling the moving story of a farmer struggling against the wrath of nature.

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Big Ditch Dam Building Company 8 Steps to Achieving Water Security for Your Family
Dam Building

8 Steps to Achieving Water Security for Your Family

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Water is the most essential resource we need to survive. With increasing global challenges, such as changing weather patterns, growing populations, and depleting resources, water security has become a critical issue for many.

As responsible individuals, ensuring a consistent, clean, and adequate water supply for our families should be a top priority. Here’s a comprehensive guide on eight steps you can take to achieve water security for your family:

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Big-Ditch-Dam-Builder-woman-showering-in-metal-sludge-1
Dam Building

Metal sludge pollutes Sydney dams

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

A metal sludge-like layer is infecting two dams that provide water for showering and drinking in Sydney The Cataract and Cordeaux dams have increased levels of iron, examinations have shown. Tests show that inside this sludge there is also aluminium, manganese, lithium, strontium, barium, titanium, zinc and nickel. The dams supply water to 600,000 people …

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Dam Building

Government calls for Dam Building Programs

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  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 two years for farmers to recoup their losses …

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Dam Building

Dam storages down 0.3% this week

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  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 at Bourke and around 51mm at Brewarrina over …

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Dam Building

No Dam Water For Marijuana Growers

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  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 week in the water feeding the Laverty’s Void Dam on Wilsons Creek which …

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Dam Building

Outback town giving away free water

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  A Queensland town with a wealth of underground water is offering it free to other drought affected towns that are lacking the valuable resource.   The Queensland hamlet of Richmond is the lucky town – and the water originates from the Great Artesian Basin   The Richmond County Council Mayor John Wharton has presented …

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Dam Building

Some hope for summer rain in long range forecasts

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

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 into December for most areas within New South Wales, …

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Dam Building

30 private dams built with public money

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Taxpayers have funded as many as 30 huge dams on land owned by private interests and big agriculture firms. These brand-new dams have been built on private property, with money coming from the Commonwealth’s $4 billion water efficiency program. Two of the dam projects cost taxpayers nearly $30 million. The dam projects were subject to …

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Dam Building

The Fast Dams Project

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

The Berejiklian administration’s contentious plans to sidestep environmental and planning rules in a bid to fast-track water facilities in drought-affected communities has been authorised by cabinet. This enables Water Minister Melinda Pavey and Planning Minister Rob Stokes to reduce the need to carry out biodiversity studies – leaving planning decisions to WaterNSW. WaterNSW said this …

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Dam Building

Dam cost refunds!

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Get 25% of your dam investment refunded through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme. This program aims to provide funding for primary producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs and improves resilience to drought. The rebate is 25% …

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Dam Building

Dam Levels Down During Sept 2019

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

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% of the total storage capacity. This was a decrease …

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Dam Building

$50m For NSW Drought Projects

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  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 of major water infrastucture initiatives $39 million will …

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Dam Building

Catch Every Drop Of Rain This Summer

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

  Big Ditch’s ‘Catch Every Drop’ tells the story of the crippling drought in Australia. This is the cinema long-form version edit of ‘Catch Every Drop’ – for showing at cinemas before features – with guest appearance by Jimmy Barnes.

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Dam Building

Will Hoover Dam ever fail?

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

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 arch dam. Arch dams are the Cadillac of dams in terms of meticulous …

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Dam for Josh Mcmillan avocado grower is completed
Dam Building

Large dam for Josh McMillan completed

Posted on by Lindsey Angus Hughson

Large dams capture lost rainwater run-off for avocado growers Avocado growers always worry about their dam levels and their ability to effectively harvest rainwater. The dam for Josh McMillan is completed. Large dams are helping Comboyne avocado growers like Josh McMillan ensure their water security for their stock and crops. These rainwater harvesting systems allow …

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