TasWater will commence its Mikany Dam upgrades in February 2020, ensuring improved flood capacity and future water surety for Smithton, Stanley and Irishtown.
The dam, built in 1972, is fed by the Deep and Muckeye Creeks catchment, and is the main source of water for the communities connected to the TasWater network.
“At the time, the construction of the dam adhered to dam regulations but now an upgrade is needed to provide greater water security for the region,” TasWater Project Manager for the Capital Delivery Office, Colm O’Sheehan, said.
Northern Tasmanian construction company, Gradco, has been selected to undertake the Mikany Dam upgrade project, with site preparation set to commence in February.
“During the time of construction, the dam will be shut from the public for 18 months. Public access to the dam must be restricted as the dam transitions into a construction site,” Mr O’Sheehan said.
Water supply to the Circular Head township will not be affected, during and post construction. Once complete, the dam will not only guarantee supply into the future, but also improve its flood capacity.
“Currently, spillway at Mikany has the capacity of outflow during a one-in-100-year Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) flood event,” Mr O’Sheehan said.
“Once complete, the Mikany Dam capacity will be improved to a one-in-10,000-year flood event, complying to recent Australian national dam safety standards.
“The inundation area of the lake will not be increased as part of the upgrade to protect the natural environment surrounding the lake.”
Weather depending, the project is expected to be completed by the end of August 2021.
