Twenty-year vision realised
The Project
The Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam is a significant achievement in Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's long-term strategy to secure the future of the Hastings district water supply.
Located five kilometres south-east of Wauchope in the Cowarra State Forest, the Cowarra Dam is the critical link in Council's overall Water Supply Augmentation Scheme, providing an additional 10,000 million litres of water storage.
The dam, which is four times larger than the Port Macquarie Dam, will not only progressively cater for the region's growing population, but also more significantly protect the biodiversity and health of the Hastings River.
Water needed to fill the dam is pumped from the Hastings River at Koree Island, just west of Wauchope.
The dam supplies water to the Wauchope, Camden Haven and Port Macquarie areas, and is a key component of the Council's plan to provide the Hastings with a more drought secure future
In 1985, planning commenced for a long-term water supply strategy, closely following the completion of the 2,500 megalitre Port Macquarie off-creek storage dam in 1978.
These investigations quickly recognised the continuing high growth rate of the Hastings area and the need to cater for increased water demands in a very sensitive environment.
The purpose of both the Cowarra and Port Macquarie Dams is to store sufficient water so that:
- During periods of normal river flow, both dams are filled from the Hastings River.
- In times of drought, or when there is low flow in the river, pumping will be stopped and water will be supplied to Hastings residents from the dams. This system avoids further straining water resources at the source and protects the aquatic environment.
- During periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, when the river's water becomes 'cloudy', water will not be pumped. Water will be supplied from the dams until water quality in the river returns to acceptable levels.
The Cowarra Dam will fill the Bonny Hills and Camden Haven reservoirs and can also transfer water into Port Macquarie Dam when required.
The Environment
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has taken an environmentally sustainable approach toward securing the future of the region's water supply.
In all aspects of planning for the Cowarra Dam, the environment and health of the Hastings River was paramount.
The dam is filled by the Koree #3 pumping station when river flows are normal and above minimum environmental flow targets.
However, in drought, or when the river flows fall below acceptable environmental targets for water extraction, the pump is shutdown and Council relies upon stored water in Port Macquarie, and Cowarra off-creek storage dams, to meet water usage demands.
This system safeguards the biodiversity of the Hastings River including platypus and aquatic plants, all of which are monitored by scientists employed to research how much water can be taken without causing additional stress on the aquatic environment and biodiversity of the river system.
The new Port Macquarie reclaimed water system will further complement the network by reducing the demand on our potable (drinking) water supplies.
During initial construction, the dam site was cleared in stages over a number of years. Trees were left along creek beds and at the top of the proposed water storage level to minimise soil erosion and run-off.
Habitat trees were protected until the fauna living in them were safely relocated elsewhere in the catchment area.
Site workers employed from the Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council spread grass seed, erected silt control fencing and cleared lantana by hand from steep hillsides to avoid the use of chemical sprays within the catchment area.
Did you know?
During construction, site clearing was carried out only between the months of September to February to avoid disturbing the breeding season of the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
- Tree seeds were collected on site for replanting to complement the existing flora in the area.
- More than 500 native trees have been replanted in the catchment area. One hundred rare Eucalyptus bancrofti (Orange Flower Gum) trees were planted to replace the 14 removed for the construction of the southern construction access road.
- 80 percent of timber cleared from the site was harvested, recycled and re-used.
Picnic Area
The picnic area, featuring the magnificent public art project, is open and accessible to the public between 9am and 5pm. The Dam can be accessed from the Oxley Highway. Turn into King Creek Road then left into Sarah's Crescent and right on to the sign-posted road to the dam. Parking is available on-site.
For more information about the planning and construction of the Cowarra Dam, and its role in achieving a drought-secure future for the Hastings, please download the Cowarra Dam commemorative opening brochure attached.
Cowarra Dam Commemorative Liftout (858KB)
