Dam Dewatering & Defishing Services NSW
What is Dam Dewatering & Defishing?
Dam dewatering is the process of safely removing water from a dam or reservoir, often required for development, maintenance or environmental compliance projects across NSW. This is achieved through pumping, siphoning, or gravity drainage and is conducted to enable inspections, repairs, maintenance, or construction work to take place.
Dam defishing is carried out during the dewatering process, and it involves removing fish and native fauna from the dam or reservoir before the water levels get too low.
Dam dewatering and defishing are conducted to ensure the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems and environmental responsibility and sustainability.
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When are Dam Dewatering Services Needed?
Dam dewatering and defishing services are project ecology services required for the development, maintenance and rehabilitation of dams and water bodies across NSW. They are essential to preserving the native flora, fauna, and biodiversity values of the land. Dam dewatering and defishing are needed in the following situations:
Maintenance and repairs, such as repairing gates, inspecting dam structures, or fixing leaks
Upgrades and modifications
Environmental studies, including the collection of sediment samples
Emergency situations such as severe storms or flooding
Ecological management to protect fish and other aquatic life during maintenance or construction work
Why Choose East Coast Ecology?
East Coast Ecology is experienced in dam dewatering services across NSW using safe, eco-friendly and legal methods. Our professional team is qualified to support and supervise the dewatering of dams, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and any other water bodies. We have a long history of helping clients ensure the sustainability of their developmental projects across NSW.
East Coast Ecology uses innovative techniques and equipment which are efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. We provide ecological assessments, habitat restoration, and water quality monitoring. We also offer a comprehensive range of services that go beyond aquatic ecology, such as Environmental Impact Assessments and Flora and Fauna Assessment Reports. These work hand-in-hand to ensure the sustainability of development projects.
Our experienced ecologists are highly trained dewatering contractors with deep aquatic ecology expertise. East Coast Ecology specialises in managing and protecting marine ecosystems, having worked on various dewatering and defishing projects, from small-scale maintenance work to large-scale upgrades.
East Coast Ecology can provide dam dewatering and defishing services to all of New South Wales. From Western Sydney to Greater Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, Port Macquarie, the Hunter Valley, and regional New South Wales at large, we can help you conduct dam dewatering and defishing to make sure your development project maintains its sustainability and that the native flora and fauna is preserved.
What’s Involved?
East Coast Ecology works closely with clients to understand their most important goals and to develop a project plan to meet their specific requirements as accurately as possible. We’ll identify and describe the developmental site or dam, discuss our steps to conduct dewatering and defishing, and consider the aquatic area’s regional context and physical description.
Project Planning
East Coast Ecology works closely with clients to understand their most important goals and to develop a project plan to meet their specific requirements as accurately as possible. We’ll identify and describe the developmental site or dam, discuss our steps to conduct dewatering and defishing, and consider the aquatic area’s regional context and physical description.
Legislation, policy, and controls
Our Dam Dewatering & Defishing Services address and adhere to all relevant legislation, policy and guidelines, including:
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 & Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017;
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 & Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021;
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience & Hazards) 2021 (formerly Coastal Management);
State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity Conservation) 2021;
Water Management Act 2000, Fisheries Management Act 1994 & Biosecurity Act 2015;
Local Environmental Plans & Development Control Plans (relevant to your local government area); and
Consideration of the proposal against the thresholds of the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS).
Management and Rescue
East Coast Ecology uses a range of sustainable techniques to manage the water levels once the dewatering process has begun. We use practices such as:
Fish rescue
Fish relocation
Our specialised equipment and practices allow us to safely lower the water levels of any aquatic body of water and safely capture, transport, and relocate fish and native fauna to a more suitable habitat. Our safe siphoning and gravity drainage allows us to safely manage and dispose of sediment.
Consistent Monitoring and Reporting
We provide regular monitoring and reporting throughout the entire process of dewatering and defishing. Our project management ensures that our work progresses as planned and discussed and to identify any issues or challenges that may occur.
Conclusions and Recommendations
At the end of the process, we’ll reconvene with you and your team and discuss the outcomes and future of your dam or aquatic body. We’ll provide you with comprehensive and tailored recommendations, advice, and notes on the whole process and what you can do to ensure the project’s continued effectiveness in the future. We’ll also inform you of other ecological services that your dam or reservoir may require.
FAQs
1. What is dam dewatering?
Dam dewatering is the process of safely removing water from a dam or reservoir using pumping, siphoning or gravity drainage to enable inspection, repair or environmental management.
2. What is dam defishing?
Dam defishing involves safely capturing, transporting and relocating fish and native fauna from a dam or reservoir before water levels drop too low.
3. When is dam dewatering required in NSW?
Dam dewatering is required for maintenance, repairs, structural inspections, emergency events, environmental investigations and ecological management of aquatic habitats.
4. Who can perform dam dewatering services?
Dam dewatering should be performed by qualified ecologists and licensed dewatering contractors who can manage aquatic fauna safely and comply with NSW environmental legislation.
5. How long does dam dewatering take?
Project duration varies by dam size, sediment volume, fauna numbers and approval conditions. Most projects are completed within 2 to 8 weeks.
6. What NSW legislation applies to dam dewatering?
Dam dewatering must address the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, EP&A Act 1979, Water Management Act 2000, Fisheries Management Act 1994 and Biosecurity Act 2015.
7. Where does East Coast Ecology provide dam dewatering services?
East Coast Ecology services all of NSW, including Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and regional NSW.
8. How are fish and aquatic animals safely relocated during dam dewatering?
As water levels are lowered, ecologists enter the dam to safely capture and relocate resident fauna such as fish, eels, turtles and frogs to suitable nearby habitat. Water is gradually pumped down in stages so fauna can be identified and removed safely as conditions change. Depending on the dam size, weather conditions, pump capacity and number of animals present, the process can sometimes be completed within a day or two.
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Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.
PHONE: 02 7813 6119
EMAIL: admin@ececology.com.au