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Aerial of Ewen Maddock Dam

Ewen Maddock Dam upgrade

The Ewen Maddock Dam Upgrade project was completed in April 2021.

Ewen Maddock Dam is located near Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast. The dam was constructed across Addlington Creek, a tributary of the Mooloolah River. Construction of the dam was completed in 1976 and the full supply level (FSL) was raised in 1982. 
 
Following the independent dam safety review in 2010, a number of improvements were identified at Ewen Maddock Dam and approved for delivery. The upgrade was undertaken in two stages. The first stage (Stage 2A) included strengthening the existing embankment and increasing its floodwater capacity. The next stage, Stage 2B, will involve strengthening work on the spillway structure. This stage will be pending Seqwater internal approval upon completion of the Stage 2A project works.

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Ewen Maddock Dam upgrade (Stage 2A)

To undertake the upgrade safely the lake’s water level was lowered to less than 60 per cent of its full supply level. The lowered level stayed in place until the embankment work was finished in December, 2020. Once work was complete, the lake refilled naturally to its’ normal capacity which is dependent on adequate rainfall across the catchment. The new staged approach reduced the amount of time water levels were lowered and also minimised the duration of closures to the lake’s recreation areas.

Construction on Stage 2A began at the end of March 2020 and involved raising and strengthening the existing embankment walls with significant improvements to the recreation area. This stage was expected to take 18 months to complete however Seqwater completed it 6 months ahead of schedule with recereation reopening to the public on Friday 23 April 2021.   

Recreation

For the safety of the public, all on-water recreation, access to the designated swimming area and the recreational use of Maddock Park were closed on Monday 30 March 2020 for the duration of the Stage 2A work (up to 18 months). Seqwater was able to keep the multi- use trails open during the upgrade. Before closing recreation, the project invested in rejuvenating the wetlands picnic area on Steve Irwin Way, the wetlands remained open for recreation throughout the upgrade.

After almost 12 months of improvement works, Seqwater reopened the recreation area at Ewen Maddock Dam on Friday 23 April 2021. These improvements include

  • new shelters, tables and benches

  • new vessel launch pad and wash bay facility

  • amenities such as BBQ facilities, playground, connected concrete pathways and an improved beach sitting area at Maddock Park

Free Pool entry at Mooloolah State School during Summer 20/21

As a result of all on-water recreation being closed as part of the Upgrade project, Seqwater partnered with Mooloolah State School P&C and Swim am byth to allow free entry to the pool between Sunday 13 December and Thursday April 1 2021. We had over 3,275 community members enjoy free pool entry during this period.

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    • Siphons on Ewen Maddock Dam

      Construction update at Ewen Maddock Dam - September 2020

      As you may already be aware, the lake at Ewen Maddock Dam has now been lowered to less than 60% for work to start on the embankment wall. This work is now well underway, with the project slightly ahead of schedule.

      September 2020

      Construction Update                                                                          

      As you may already be aware, the lake at Ewen Maddock Dam has now been lowered to less than 60% for work to start on the embankment wall. This work is now well underway, with the project slightly ahead of schedule.

      Together with Sunshine Coast-based local contractor Hall Contracting, Seqwater installed six siphons to safely release water. By using gravity and siphons in place of more traditional systems like diesel-fuelled pumps, carbon emissions have been reduced by about 235 tonnes. This approach, which was decided during the planning stages, also helped to reduce the length of the project and enable much of the embankment strengthening work to be completed within the dry season.

      Horse float carpark

      Seqwater has increased the size of the horse float carparking area by 25% at Maddock Park. The upgrade now means visitors towing a horse float can safely do a U-turn without entering the construction area. The additional space has also increased the number of carparks for multi-use trail users and includes new carparking, recreation and project information signage, delineation markers and fencing. 

      Environment 

      The Seqwater team has been closely watching for environmental impacts throughout the lake lowering using historical survey data and also a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, usually a drone). Riparian vegetation is still in very good health and water quality is being monitored for any impact on the health of foraging bird and aquatic species. Flora and fauna monitoring will continue during the construction lowering phase of this project.

      Timing

      This 18-month project is part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program which will bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. The embankment work will also improve the existing beach and swimming area. Once work is complete, the lake will refill naturally to its normal capacity dependent on adequate rainfall across the catchment.

      Work started in April 2020 and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2021, weather permitting.

      Sign up for e-updates

      We will be sending regular e-updates on the progress of the Ewen Maddock Dam Upgrade to keep you informed.  This is the best way to get the latest information, so if you know someone who might be interested in this project encourage them to subscribe by clicking here.

      Sign up for free dam release alerts

      Sign up to our dam release notification service to be notified when Ewen Maddock Dam is spilling. This free service provides subscribers with notifications by email, SMS or recorded messages to telephone landlines when gated dams are releasing water or un-gated dams are spilling. Register now to get dam alerts or download the Seqwater app from the App Store or Google Play on your device.

      For more information

      w https://www.seqwater.com.au/project/ewen-maddock-dam-upgrade 
      e [email protected]
      p 1300 SEQWATER (1300 737 928)

      A photo of the trees to be removed as part of the Ewen Maddock Dam upgrade project

      Seqwater to replant trees at Maddock Park

      Seqwater will re-plant a new row of trees along the perimeter of the roadway where the trees are being removed on completion upgrade work.

      As part of our work to upgrade Ewen Maddock Dam, Hall Contracting’s subcontractors will be removing some medium sized gum trees within the Maddock Park Area along the perimeter of Connection Road. Read the Ewen Maddock Dam e-update for more information.

       

      Ewen Maddock Dam recreation map - March 2020

      Recreation upgrades and closures

      As part of the upgrade project, all water-based recreation at Ewen Maddock Dam and the Maddock Park day use area are now closed. 

      On-water recreation, including the designated swimming and beach area, will be closed as part of the upgrade project from Monday 30 March 2020.

      Seqwater has implemented alternate access points to keep the multi-use trails around the lake open during the upgrade. Seqwater has also recently built a new horse float unloading area with Maddock Park to ensure continued access for horse riders during the upgrade.

      Seqwater has significantly invested in the Ornamental wetlands picnic area, on Steve Irwin Way to help provide an alternate recreation location during the upgrade. We have recently installed pumps for the wetlands, upgraded picnic tables, resurfaced the access and parking facilities and installed a new toilet block near to the Brew haha Café to significantly enhance this area and make the wetlands a fantastic, picnic destination.

      Ewen Maddock Dam wall

      Construction starts at Ewen Maddock Dam

      Sunshine Caost contractor, Hall Contracting, has been announced as the successful contractor for the Ewen Maddock Dam Upgrade.

      Work will start at the end of March. The 18-month project will bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards and improve the existing beach and swimming area. Read more in the March issue of the Ewen Maddock Dam e-update.

      View of the Lake at Ewen Maddock Dam

      Recreation to resume sooner at Ewen Maddock

      Sunshine Coasters will be able to escape the heat and spend more time in the water with a popular watersports venue set to remain open over summer.

      Ewen Maddock Dam will remain open to the public throughout the summer months before the rescheduled upgrade begins early next year. 

      Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the upgrades will now be delivered in two stages to minimise the closure of recreation areas. 

      Read more.

      Ornamental wetlands

      Recreation during the upgrade

      Currently, the water level within the lake is at about 90 per cent of the Full Supply Level. During the upgrade we will need to lower the water level of the lake to about 60 per cent of the Full Supply Level. Lowering water levels is an industry accepted practice to manage dam safety and bank stability during upgrades. The lake will return to the current Full Supply Level following project completion of the Stage 2A works and adequate rainfall.

      For the safety of the public, all on-water recreation, access to the designated swimming area, general access to the multi-use trails from Maddock Park, and the recreational use of Maddock Park will be closed for the duration of the embankment work. Access to the multi-use trails from alternate locations will be maintained as Seqwater has recently modified the access points inclusive of a new horse float unloading area to ensure they can remain open during the upgrade.  The project has also recently invested in rejuvenating the wetlands picnic area on Steve Irwin Way. You can stay up-to-date with the progress of the Ewen Maddock Dam Safety Upgrade by subscribing to our e-updates below.

      Ewen Maddock Dam sunset

      Ewen Maddock Dam to remain open over Spring

      One of the Sunshine Coast’s popular recreation areas, Ewen Maddock Dam, will remain open to the public during spring.

      The dam was originally earmarked for upgrade work to begin from August this year but has now been rescheduled.

      As a result, on-water recreation, including a designated swimming and beach area, will remain open until Seqwater finalises the new project timeline.

      Seqwater has recently modified the access points to the multi-use trails around the lake to ensure they can remain open during the upgrade and rejuvenated the adjacent wetlands area.

      Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said unfortunately the tender process did not result in any viable tenders.

      “Dam upgrades are highly technical and complex projects. We are now conducting a post tender review to better understand the response of potential contractors before re-issuing a tender for the project. The new tender will reflect the review process,’’ Mr Brennan said.

      “The upgrade is part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program designed to ensure SEQ dams can continue to perform safely into the future.

      “Dams are large-scale public infrastructures and maintaining their safety is paramount,” Mr Brennan said.

      “The upgrade of Ewen Maddock will increase the dam's resilience to extreme events and bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. The revised construction schedule will not increase any risks to dam safety.”

      To undertake the upgrade safely the lake’s water level will need to be lowered to about 60 per cent of its full supply level.

      During the upgrade, all on-water recreation, including the designated swimming and beach area, will be closed for the duration of the upgrade work. The closure will also extend to Maddock Park which will be required as a set down area for the project.

      Once the new timeline for the project is finalised Seqwater will host a community event at the newly renovated wetlands area to update the local community.

      Seqwater expects to issue a new tender before the end of the year. For more information about the Dam Improvement Program, visit www.seqwater.com.au/damimprovement.

    • In 2012-13, Seqwater commissioned an independent review of our 26 referable dams, which found improvements are needed at a number of our dams to meet the Queensland dam safety guidelines into the future.

      We have prioritised a program of dam upgrades in a staged approach to give us time to scope, design and plan, while maintaining public safety, security of water supply and delivering best value for money.

      Ewen Maddock Dam is one of a number of dams in South East Queensland scheduled to be upgraded as part of our regular ongoing maintenance.

      Ewen Maddock Dam was built in two stages in 1976 and 1983 across Addlington Creek, a tributary of the Mooloolah River. Located on the Sunshine Coast, Ewen Maddock Dam is part of the SEQ Water Grid.

      In 2012, stage one upgrade at the dam involved the installation of pressure relief wells along the left abutment of the dam wall, and construction of a 1.5 metre weighting berm on the downstream toe area.

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