Short answer: Day one of the Arabella dam build marks the beginning of a significant earthmoving project, with the Big Ditch Aquatecture team mobilising equipment and establishing the site layout before cutting begins. Breaking ground involves stripping topsoil, setting out the dam wall footprint, and beginning the initial push of material that will eventually form the compacted earth wall. The first day sets the tone for the entire project, with careful preparation being critical to a successful outcome.

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 was – ‘create art in the landscape that is beautiful, provides water security, and is functional – in that order

About Big Ditch

Big Ditch Aquatecture builds and repairs farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. Contact us for a site inspection.

Big Ditch Aquatecture has built and repaired farm dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every project is different — soil conditions, catchment size, and land use all shape the final design.

If you’re considering a new dam or need to repair an existing one, a professional site inspection is the best first step. We assess soil suitability, topography, catchment area, and regulatory requirements before recommending a solution.

Our team operates heavy earthmoving equipment across a wide range of terrain — from coastal flats to steep inland country. We’ve seen most problems before and know how to solve them efficiently.

Need help with your own dam? Book a site inspection with Big Ditch — we build and repair dams across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria.