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Tarago Reservoir Upgrade Works

Project overview

The Water Resources Alliance, on behalf of Melbourne Water, is upgrading the reservoir embankment, increasing its operating capacity from 24 to 32 gigalitres. A larger emergency release facility at Tarago Reservoir has already been installed.

Once the upgrade is complete, Melbourne Water will once again be able to operate Tarago Reservoir at full capacity. The upgrade does not change the reservoir’s capacity.

These works will provide for ongoing water security, and for future increased environmental flows out of Tarago Reservoir.

Staged program of works

The project is being undertaken in two stages. Work started in April 2010 and is expected to be completed by mid-2012, weather conditions permitting.

Tarago Reservoir Upgrade

Stage 1 – completed

Stage one of the project included the construction of the new river release facility. This involved installing additional pipework, valves and a concrete hood structure over the outlet. This work enables the new environmental flow requirements for Tarago River to be met and provides an emergency release capability similar to Melbourne Water’s other large dams.

Stage 2 filter upgrade – starting February 2012

Stage two will involve the reconstruction of the top of the dam embankment. We will extend the internal chimney filter from its current height to the same level as the top of the wall.

Temporary changes to park opening hours during works

To ensure the safety of park visitors Parks Victoria have agreed on changed park opening hours during our schedule of works.

From Tuesday 14th February the park will be closed on weekdays and Saturdays. The park will remain open on Sundays. It will also be opened on long weekends including 10th March to 12th March and 6th April to 9th April, 2012.

Park opening hours will resume to normal once the project is complete.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank all park users for their patience and understanding.

Operating the dam safely during construction

The reservoir has been kept at a restricted level to enable its level to decrease through supply and programmed releases. The lower level will be maintained throughout the project and allows for our works to safely take place.

We will manage releases carefully during stage two to ensure construction can be completed safely.

Background

The Tarago Reservoir is located 95 kilometres east of Melbourne on the Tarago River. It was constructed in 1968 and has a capacity of 37,500 million litres. The reservoir catchment covers 11,400 hectares. Approximately 8,800 hectares (80 per cent) of this land is forested, managed for biodiversity and timber. The rest of the catchment - 2,600 hectares - is cleared for agriculture and other land uses.

The Tarago Reservoir catchment is an 'open' water supply catchment with farming among other activities present. Water drawn from the reservoir is treated to ensure a safe drinking water supply. Melbourne Water began managing the reservoir in 1991. In 1994 the water supply from Tarago to the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport regions was disconnected. These areas were then supplied from Melbourne Water's Cardinia Reservoir, while Gippsland Water continued to treat Tarago water for supply to local communities. However Melbourne Water has since built a $97 million water treatment plant and the Tarago Reservoir was reconnected to Melbourne's water supply network in June 2009.

More information or feedback

If you would like more information or to discuss this project with a member of our community engagement team we encourage you to fill in this online form or call (toll free) 1800 027 517.