Julius Dam Project at NCS Australia

Julius Dam Project

Lake Julius was formed following the construction of Julius Dam in 1976 for irrigation and town water storage. The dam wall is located just below the junction of the Leichhardt River and Paroo Creek some 70 kilometres North East of Mount Isa. It has a full supply capacity of 127,000 megalitres, a surface area of 3,100 acres with an average depth of 8.9 metres.

The dam is unique in Queensland and is a concrete multiple arch and buttress type structure, with the spillway discharging over the tops of the arches. The spillway crest is 18.3 metres (60 ft) above bed level. The arch barrels, founded on a triangular arch base, are constructed in independent arch rings and are hinged at buttress springing lines. The spillway is a precast superstructure and the dissipation slab at ground level is post-tensioned to the foundation rock.

NCS was selected by Sunwater, the asset owner, to rehabilitate areas of concrete spalling to the dam wall in September 2014. With such a remote site, NCS had to be fully sufficient for the period of works. A meticulous construction plan was formed, with emphasis on the delicate environment, along with a strong emphasis on safety. All repairs were accessed by use of a 120ft boom. Various concrete spall repairs were repaired, along with extensive crack injection. From planning to execution, NCS, working with Sunwater, delivered a successful project that will enhance the durability of this concrete structure for many years to come. This project also showed the full capabilities of NCS working in such a unique, fragile, and remote environment.