The South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) is currently monitoring two private dams in the Adelaide Hills.
Flood and Watch warnings were issued on Sunday 25 June for both dams, one at Basket Range and the other at Hope Forest.
A small number of property owners who could be potentially impacted by the dam failures have been door knocked by SES personnel and informed of the situation.
SES Chief of Staff Derren Halleday said both dams have been inspected by structural engineers to provide insight into their integrity.
“As well as the engineer reports, we have personnel physically on-site monitoring and inspecting the dams and their immediate surrounds and we are also working closely with the Department for Environment and Water,’’ he said.
“Highly trained SES Remotely Piloted Aircraft personnel have captured drone footage of the dams which will greatly assist us in determining the best way forward.’’
Continual recent rain over the past days has played a contributing factor to the risk profile of both dams.
The news follows warnings from authorities of the risk of failure in private dams across South Australia, with 250 dams identified as potentially posing a threat if they were to fail.
In September SES and emergency services spent several days at a private property in Echunga (pictured above), working to successfully empty an at-risk dam.
Owners of privately owned dams are encouraged to regularly inspect their infrastructure. The SES website ses.sa.gov.au has more information on emergency dam maintenance.
For assistance in flood and storm emergencies contact the SA SES on 132 500.
For the latest information on Watch and Act messages and flood warnings, please see: https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/current-warning-list/.
