Lake Brewster flood recovery works

WaterNSW is planning permanent repair works to sections of Lake Brewster to restore the storage capacity of the lake, and ensure reliability of water storage and supply to Lachlan River customers. This follows recently completed emergency works, in response to major flood damage.

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Emergency repair works at Lake Brewster were completed in April 2023. Work included restoring access to the infrastructure and works to the inlet channel to continue operation of the lake.

WaterNSW is currently completing additional repair works to Levee C, while planning for permanent repair work is underway.

Planning work includes a condition assessment to identify the scope of permanent repair work and carrying out necessary design, environmental and heritage studies.

Issues to address include major damage to embankments (washouts), erosion, loss of materials and overtopping (waves and water moving over the embankment wall) caused by major flood impacts.

Permanent repair work is on track to start in late 2024, pending weather and project approvals.

More information will be shared with customers and the community as planning progresses.

Lake Brewster

At full capacity, Lake Brewster holds about 153,000 mega litres of water and covers about 6100 hectares. It is used to provide water storage to Lachlan Valley customers and mitigate flooding impacts by holding water that would otherwise flow to the lower Lachlan Valley.

Lake Brewster is also an important wildlife refuge for the Australian pelican, black swan and great crested grebe.

The project will restore the storage capacity of the lake, improve the reliability of water storage to Lachlan River customers.

Storage levels are currently reduced to a maximum of about 80% due to major damage to the lake's embankments. These levels will progressively increase as proposed permanent repair work are completed.

• Mid 2023 – Complete emergency repair works, following major floods in November 2022.
• 2023 and early 2024 – Continue to scope permanent repair works including completing condition assessment and necessary design, environmental and heritage studies. WaterNSW is currently completing additional repair works to Levee C, while planning for permanent repair work is underway.
• Later 2024 – Program of work to be scheduled, and work to start in late 2024.

Major flooding in November 2022 caused significant damage to the lake’s inlet channel embankments, preventing lake inflows and restricting access to infrastructure to essential maintenance and inspection work. Recognising the lake’s importance to the region’s storage capacity, water quality and ecology, WaterNSW prioritised emergency repair work and this work was completed in April 2023.

Despite emergency repair works, storage levels are reduced to a maximum of about 80% due to major damages. These levels will progressively increase once the proposed permanent repair works are completed.

WaterNSW recognises a range of stakeholders interested in these works and is committed to consulting closely with impacted parties when required.

The area around Lake Brewster has high cultural heritage significance and we will undertake the appropriate environmental and heritage reviews, including consultation with key parties, before work starts.

We will work closely with customers and our internal delivery teams to minimise impacts to water supply during construction, and we will keep customers informed as plans progress.

We also recognise the lake’s large pelican population and will continue to work closely with the Department of Planning and Environment, Lachlan Environmental Water Advisory Group (EWAG) and other government organisations and interested community members.

For general enquiries on WaterNSW’s work please contact us.