Major repairs completed at Gallymont Dam

Safety has been improved at the historic Gallymont Dam near Mandurama in the state’s Central West after the NSW Government completed $151,000 in critical work to stabilise the dam and protect the surrounding environment.

Funded by Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the safety maintenance work has fortified the 129-year-old dam which is located on Gallymont Creek, about one hour’s drive south-west of Bathurst.

The Soil Conservation Service was contracted to remove excess vegetation and loose soil at the dam base and install a concrete footing beam along the dam wall toe on the left abutment of the dam to prevent further erosion and undercutting of the dam wall structure.

The concrete footing will support the dam wall and the rock protection works against the dam wall will help prevent erosion of the embankment area. A diversion drain was also installed to divert water runoff and prevent sediment build-up.

The improvements will fortify the dam for coming years, reduce maintenance costs, protect the local environment and mitigate the risk of a dam wall failure which would impact surrounding properties and harm the environment through the release of uncontrolled water and sediment flows into the creek.

Gallymont Dam was built in 1895 to supply water to a nearby gold mine, which ceased operation in 1907. The dam is a 6-metre-high, 20-meter-long masonry gravity arch structure.

Crown Lands is responsible for ensuring the safety of a number of dams across NSW including Burraga, Gallymont and Junction Reefs in the Central West; Bethungra, Bargo and De Burgh in the south of the state, West Gosford on the Central Coast, and Moore Creek and Sheba dams in the North West of the State.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Gallymont Dam has stood the test of time for nearly 130 years.

“Gallymont Dam is a local architectural relic in the Central West and this important maintenance work will ensure the historic dam remains in good condition.

“Safety maintenance of dams is critical to ensure their structural integrity and prevent potential failures that could lead to local flooding and impacts on properties and the environment.

“Crown Lands undertakes regular inspections of its dams and conducts maintenance repairs and upgrades when necessary to ensure they are kept safe.”