This guide has been designed to help irrigators through the process of constructing a freshwater storage facility for irrigation – also known as building a dam!
It takes you through each part of the dam-building process – from concept through to construction and sign-off. It includes information on council requirements and engaging professionals (like designers and engineers).
What will a dam mean to you and your farming system?
A correctly designed and constructed pond will provide:
- Surety of supply (reliability).
- Flexibility – you choose when you irrigate.
- Effective utilisation of water.
- Reduced risk of non-compliance.
Through the feasibility, design and construction phases of the pond you need to ensure:
- You have enough water to recharge the dam every year – or the recharge period for which it is designed.
- Consideration has been given to the lining material.
- The dam is the appropriate size for you irrigation area and crops.
- The pond meets all Regional and District Council Resource Management and Building Act requirements.
It introduces the fundamental questions that need to be answered before, and whilst engaging third party professionals, to deliver the most suitable on-farm storage option for your needs.
The audience for this book are irrigators who are looking to build small embankment dams or embankment storage ponds. It provides a detailed outline of the decision making process required to ensure you build storage that is best suited to your needs along with basic design and construction information.
Dam Safety
On 12 May 2022, new regulations were made by the Government to improve the safety and resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand's dams.
The regulations ensure that classifiable dams are well operated, maintained and regularly monitored. They also ensure that potential impacts of dam incidents and failures are reduced, protecting people, property, and the environment.
On 13 May 2024, the regulations commence which gives dam owners two years to prepare for their dam safety responsibilities.