Echunga residents on alert for possible dam wall failure

The South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) will continue to carry out remedial action and monitor a private dam located in Echunga which is displaying signs of potential wall failure.

The private dam is estimated to contain between nine to 10 megalitres of water and could impact the township of Echunga if the rear wall fails.

Several roads in the Echunga area have been closed and relief centre established at the Echunga Recreational Ground.

Graeme Wynwood, SASES Chief of Staff said a spillway had been created to allow water to drain away from the dam in a controlled manner.

“The SASES continues to work with local council and other government agencies to assist in mitigating risk in the event of the dam failing,’’ he said.

“We now have the capacity to extract approximately 12,000 litres of water per minute using a number of pumps and we using the stormwater drains of the Echunga township to disperse the excess water,’’ he said.

He said lowering the water level in the dam would immediately help in reducing pressure on the weakening dam wall and also increase the likelihood that, if the wall does fail, it would collapse back in on itself.

“We will be providing a further local community briefing at 3.30pm today at the Echunga Recreational Ground,’’ he said.

“At this stage people are not being allowed back into their home until we are confident the threat has passed.’’

Approximately 65 people in Echunga have been advised to leave their homes.

People can call the SASES information hotline on 1800 362 361 or visit www.ses.sa.gov.au for the latest updates.

Sand and sandbags are available for members of the public from the Country Fire Service Echunga Unit and SASES Mount Barker Unit.