Dam Dewatering & Defishing Services
What is Dam Dewatering & Defishing?
Dam dewatering is the process of removing water from a dam or reservoir. 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.
Want to speak to an ecologist?
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
When is Dam Dewatering & Defishing Needed?
Dam dewatering and defishing are project ecology services that are required in the development of dams and water bodies. 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 dewatering dams across Australia 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 all highly trained and knowledgeable in aquatic ecology. 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.
Contact us
for a free quote
We would love to hear from you.
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