The largest fishlift of its kind in Australia at Tallowa Dam is about to undergo its biggest upgrade since it was built in 2009, improving its reliability in helping native fish reach spawning grounds upstream.
WaterNSW Executive Manager Operations, Ronan Magaharan, said the project will improve the reliability of the fish lift to enable fish migration between the lower and upper Shoalhaven River.
“Due to aging infrastructure and recent flooding impacts, the fish lift is currently not operational,” Mr Magaharan said.
“When completed, this major upgrade to mechanical and electrical equipment will greatly improve the reliability of the fish lift and help up to 10 endangered fish species migrate upstream.
“We are also upgrading the infrastructure that enables the release of the best quality water downstream as environmental flows so that both the e-flows system and fish lift can withstand floods.”
Tallowa Dam incorporates a unique mechanical fish lift that uses a 2,500-litre bucket, known as a hopper, to transport fish along a 30-metre track over the dam wall.
The lift was the first of its kind to be built in NSW. Water from the lake’s surface is released into a confined channel at the base of the dam, which attracts fish through a gate and into the hopper.
After a specified period of time, the gate closes, and the hopper is lifted over the wall and lowered into the lake upstream of the dam wall. Fish are then released from the hopper and can resume upstream migrations.
A gated channel installed on the spillway leading to a plunge pool at the spillway’s base allows fish to migrate downstream to the estuary to spawn.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2026, weather permitting.
Construction includes upgrading existing fish lift components with new pipework, valves and fittings and constructing access walkways for ongoing maintenance. The electrical system driving the fish lift will be upgraded with new winches, braking components, wiring and control panels.
A crane and temporary pad will supply and remove equipment and materials from the upper bank and take them to the fish lift.
Public access to Tallowa Dam recreation areas, including canoe launching areas, viewing platforms, barbecues, and carparks, will remain open during the works.
Visitors are advised that extra trucks, cars, and equipment will travel along Tallowa Dam Road to the construction site. Please be mindful of the extra traffic and follow all site signage.
Completed in 1976, Tallowa Dam is the centrepiece of the Shoalhaven system, which provides water to the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands regions and is a backup to the Sydney and Illawarra water supplies.
Image: Marco Saracco
