The augmentation and safety upgrade project claimed the Regional Award at the 2016 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards Newcastle Division ceremony.

The project involved raising the dam wall by eight metres and the morning glory spillway by 6.5 metres to increase the permanent storage capacity by 38,000ML and ensure the dam could safely pass the most extreme flood events.

A new bridge and associated road works were also constructed, and recreational facilities replaced or relocated to ensure the higher water level did not affect access when the augmented dam filled.  ​

At 85.7 per cent capacity, today the dam holds an additional 26,700ML that would have otherwise been released before the upgrade, completed in May this year. 

The project is also a finalist in the Master Builders’ Association construction excellence awards.