Dam safety and maintenance tips for SA landholders
There are more than 30,000 privately owned dams across South Australia – and for many landholders, they’re one of the most important assets on the property. Here's everything you need to know about maintaining your dam.
From supporting livestock and crops to storing water for firefighting and helping local biodiversity thrive, well-managed dams play a vital role in regional water security. But like any infrastructure, they need regular care to keep performing – and to avoid bigger problems down the track.
Your responsibilities as a dam owner
Maintaining your dam isn’t just about protecting your water supply – it’s a landholders’ responsibility. If a dam fails and causes downstream damage, the landholder can be held liable.
The Dam Management Guide is a free, practical resource designed for South Australian landholders, to help you understand what to look for and how to keep your dam in check. It covers common issues, routine inspections, repair options, and when to seek professional advice.
Key issues to look out for:
- Cracks or erosion in the dam wall.
- Overflow or damage after heavy rain.
- Tree roots or animal burrows weakening the structure.
- Poor vegetation cover or unusual seepage.
Inspections are especially important after dry spells or storms, when older dams may be more vulnerable.
Why is dam maintenance so important?
Why this matters
Dam incidents in recent years throughout the Adelaide Hills have shown how a poorly maintained dam can become a real hazard – triggering road closures, evacuations and emergency responses.
Good management and compliance help ensure fair water use and safer outcomes for everyone.
Learn more and get involved
Workshops and demonstration sites are being delivered to support landholders and share tips for best-practice dam management in the Hills and Fleurieu and Northern and Yorke regions. Stay tuned for the details here.
For advice tailored to your region, contact your local landscape board. Or to access the Dam Management Guide and other resources, visit the department’s website: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/flood/flood-resources/private-dams.
This work is part of a broader initiative by the South Australian Government to improve dam management and reduce risk across the state. It’s being delivered by the Department for Environment and Water, together with Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu and Northern and Yorke Landscape Boards.
Want to protect nature on your land? Discover how a Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement can help conserve biodiversity for future generations.
Main image credit: Landscape SA Hills and Fleurieu
