“From our first meeting with Angus on-site where we talked about our vision for the new dam that we wanted him to construct for us and his input at that meeting we knew he was the best choice to do the job.
The job had its challenges but Angus and the team kept at it and we developed a really good working relationship continually communicating with each other and working through the process as the job progressed.
If you just want a hole in the ground then Big Ditch is not the company for you, but if you want a water holding solution that sits naturally in the environment and will be a feature of your property for generations then this company is the best choice to deliver a stand out solution”
Geoff Hooper / NSW
BIG DITCH DESIGNS WATER
Clean lines. Organic shapes. Inviting vistas
THE FUTURE OF WATER
IS BEAUTIFUL
WARNING!
Does your dam leak?
On the right is Andrew Evans of Polymer Innovations
Mr Evans has threatened to sue us twice for having a negative opinion about his product ‘Water$ave.
If your dam is leaking, Mr Evans doesn’t want you to know what we think about his product’s effectiveness.
Site inspections
I charge $500+gst to do a full 90 minute site inspection and assessment of your new dam site, or your dam repair.
That small investment will save you thousands of dollars
You get knowledge, experience and expertise gained from 30 years experience doing one thing – building earth dams – from the person who has built more earth dams than anyone else in Australia.
Book a site inspection today
What makes us special?
We are the only professional dam builders in Australia who offer fixed price contracts.
We pioneered fixed price contracts because we’ve never heard of a contractor who charges by the hour – come in under budget
Charging by the hour is advantageous to contractors. Not you
Fixed price? No problem
- $500 + GST site inspection & assessment
- $2,750 + GST dam design
- $10,000 + GST per megalitre (1-4 mgl)
- $6,000 + GST per megalitre (5-20 mgl)
- $5,000 + GST per megalitre (21-100 mgl)
- $4,000 + GST per megalitre (101+ mgl)
BLOG
The 7 Problems With Natural Swimming Pools
Natural swimming pools, praised for their eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal, face challenges like maintenance complexity, higher initial costs, design and space limitations, water quality issues, climate dependency, and wildlife attraction. ...
20
Feb
Feb
Which States of Australia are Most Likely to be Affected by Drought?
Australia grapples with recurrent droughts, impacting states differently due to factors like climate patterns, rainfall, temperature, and agricultural methods. Despite its diverse landscapes and wildlife, the nation faces significant drought ...
27
Dec
Dec
How Heatwaves, Droughts, Wildfires, and Floods Are Made Worse by Climate Change
The article discusses how climate change exacerbates heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods. Rising temperatures, altered jet streams, feedback loops, and urban heat islands intensify heatwaves. Changes in precipitation patterns, evaporation ...
02
Dec
Dec
New Research Reveals Environmental Threats Posed by Mine Tailings in Protected Areas
New research from the University of Queensland reveals that a significant portion of the world's mine tailings, about one-third, poses environmental threats to protected areas. Led by Bora Aska, the ...
01
Dec
Dec
What Are the 15 Types of Dams?
Dams, the silent giants of engineering, stand tall, serving specific purposes across the globe. These crucial structures, designed for water resource management, flood control, and power generation, come in various ...
30
Nov
Nov
Debunking the Effectiveness of Superabsorbent Polymers in Dam Repairs
In the world of dam repairs, superabsorbent polymers have their place but are far from being a universal solution. Dams play a crucial role in water security management, providing water ...
29
Nov
Nov
NSW Drought Is Broken by Recent Rainfall
Farmers in New South Wales (NSW) experiencing drought have finally experienced a respite in the form of drought-breaking rainfall, in a much-anticipated turn of events. This week's storms that pounded ...
29
Nov
Nov
The Role of Earth Dams in Flood Control and Disaster Management
Earth dams are versatile structures that serve a multifaceted role in flood control and disaster management. Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters that can wreak havoc on ...
29
Nov
Nov
Resources for the Self-Builder
At Big Ditch, we are committed to empowering dam self builders with knowledge and expertise. Our ebook collection serves as a valuable resource hub for all your dam construction needs. So, whether you’re embarking on a small-scale project or dreaming of a larger, more ambitious dam, we’ve got you covered.
Browse our ebook collection today and take the first step towards building your own remarkable dam. Start your journey with Big Ditch and let our expertise be your guide.
Last month, the 435 photos of our projects were viewed 29,755 times*
We not only build stunning water features, we take pretty pictures of them too
*Google verified
ProjectsBIG TOOLS
Farmgoods. Hardware. Tools.
Sale!
Power tools
WARTON Petrol High Pressure Water Pump 8HP 4 Outlet for Irrigation and Fire Fighting – PRP-45P
Original price was: $399.00.$299.00Current price is: $299.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $58.00.$49.00Current price is: $49.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $139.00.$125.00Current price is: $125.00. ex GST
Sale!
Power tools
Baumr-AG Motorised Tracked Wheelbarrow Dumper, Briggs & Stratton CR950 Petrol Engine, 500kg Capacity
Original price was: $3,999.00.$3,499.00Current price is: $3,499.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $459.00.$419.00Current price is: $419.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $94.00.$84.00Current price is: $84.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $259.00.$219.00Current price is: $219.00. ex GST
Sale!
Power tools
Original price was: $256.00.$239.00Current price is: $239.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $209.00.$189.00Current price is: $189.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $1,899.00.$1,599.00Current price is: $1,599.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $369.00.$329.00Current price is: $329.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $249.00.$219.00Current price is: $219.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $536.00.$482.00Current price is: $482.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $219.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $529.00.$469.00Current price is: $469.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $59.00.$49.00Current price is: $49.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $139.00.$119.00Current price is: $119.00. ex GST
Sale!
Power tools
Original price was: $534.00.$489.00Current price is: $489.00. ex GST
Sale!
Power tools
BAUMR-AG 40 Tonne Petrol Hydraulic Horizontal and Vertical Towed Wood Log Splitter – HPS700
Original price was: $2,199.00.$1,799.00Current price is: $1,799.00. ex GST
Sale!
Original price was: $149.00.$139.00Current price is: $139.00. ex GST
Innovation & Excellence
At Big Ditch, we understand that positive ecological change and success are the result of persistence, and commitment to our beliefs about water security.
We are delighted that we were named as the winner of the 2021 Global Climate Change Innovation and Excellence Awards.
This is another step in our long journey towards becoming the best eco-friendly dam building company in the world
Lindsey Angus Hughson
Chairman & CEO. Big Ditch Group
FEATURED PUBLICATIONS
Beautiful water plants stop 90% of evaporation losses
And they give you cleaner water
We advise dam owners about organic evaporation solutions using our unique nature-based biomimicry strategies
They are both are indulgent & wasteful
The 2010 Hummer H2 on the left gets 3.8 kilometres per litre – and it indulgently wastes valuable natural resources.
The dam on the right loses 3% of it’s total volume every day, and will lose it’s total volume three times over every year due to the effect of evaporation on its naked water surface.
It’s wastes Australia’s most valuable resource.
Water.
How close to disaster do we need to be before we act?
Australia November 2019 | Australia’s worst ever drought
When one of Australia’s largest power stations wanted to stop evaporation losses from their two massive dams – Big Ditch introduced them to shade balls from our exclusive supplier in the U.S.A
Shade balls are small plastic spheres floated on top of a reservoir. They reduce evaporation losses by up to 90% – and prevent sunlight from causing reactions among chemical compounds present in the water.
In 2014 and 2015, our US shade ball partner put 96 million shade balls onto Los Angeles’ largest reservoir. The balls saved 1.7 million cubic metres of water from evaporating during their deployment from August 2015 to March 2017.
96,000,000
Shade balls deployed
1.7 billion
Litres of water saved
$34.5 million
Cost
We also advise the mining, oil, gas, power industries & major infrastructure projects
We provide streamlined water practice advice & manufactured evaporation management solutions to enable excellence in corporate water stewardship
BET ON EXPERIENCE
To be great at something, you must do it every day
We have over 30 years experience in dam building, and we are the industry leader in the art of earth dam construction
30
Years of experience
323
Dam engagements
31,800
Machine Hours
CORPORATE CONSULTATIONS
When Australian Unity needed water design advice
THEY TALKED TO US
Visual water design for corporate brands
Australian Unity operate 19 upmarket resort style retirement communities up and down the east coast of Australia.
Their residents are sophisticated and stylish people who appreciate the serenity of beautiful water features.
When the installation at Sienna Grange needed an upgrade, we worked closely with senior management on the opportunity to create spectacular visual highlight for their landscape design.
And it all starts with the mood board that defines what success looks like.
EVAPORATION MANAGEMENT
BHP COPPER MINE CHILE
When BHP wanted to more accurately record the evaporation losses from their Chile tailings dam, we talked to them about all the new alternatives
CORPORATE CONSULTING
Water is important to BHP
BHP were looking for technological solutions to monitor water losses in their Chile tailings dam more frequently and accurately, in order to improve the accuracy of the water balance.
BHP’s challenge to us was to suggest a better way to measure evaporation – because when we did that, we could better quantify the real impact of the of water losses – and generate a baseline for management to make better decisions.
This solution could then be applied to all tailings dam around the world.
That’s a huge innovation for the global mining industry
CORPORATE CONSULTATIONS
Robert Oatley Olives are obsessed with perfection
SO THEY TALKED TO US
Robert Oatley Olives make the world’s best olive oil
The Oatley family own Hamilton Island, so they know quality.
And their Olive Oil operation at Gulgong NSW continues that heritage.
When they wanted their old leaking dam to be something they were proud of, we pushed the design boundaries of what was capable in the harsh surrounding geography that is so suitable for growing premium olives.
