Dam maintenance

Maintaining your dam to prevent failure

Dams require regular maintenance to stay safe and prevent harm to people, property, and the environment. If you have a dam, it’s your responsibility to ensure it’s safe!

Routine inspections reduce the risk of overfilling and wall failure, which can endanger downstream neighbours and assets. They also help identify minor issues early, saving costs and extending the dam’s life.

Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu encourages landholders to inspect dams year-round, with summer being the best time for preventative maintenance when water levels are low. Proper planning can prevent failures and support the environment by releasing water to downstream catchments before dams spill.

We work with other state government agencies to provide land managers with access to resources and information to ensure their dams are inspected and maintained to prevent failure.

Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu received Landscape Priorities Funding in 2024/25 to coordinate the ‘Building landscape resilience with high-performing dams’ project'. The Landscape Priorities Fund provides annual grants for the state’s landscape boards, who work in partnership with other organisations, groups and individuals to invest in large-scale integrated landscape management projects.