On Monday, the first signs of work began, with site inspections and markings carried out. The first equipment will arrive later this week.

The work is expected to be completed in six weeks, with the Peel River's flow to be cut on November 30. The weir and temporary pipeline are expected to extend Tamworth's water supply by about six months.

A spokesperson for Water NSW said Tamworth's $38-million emergency pipeline would follow right behind the weir.

"Once the weir and temporary pipeline are close to completion in mid-November, some crews will move over to start work on the permanent pipeline," the spokesperson said.

"We'll have multiple crews working at both ends to deliver the permanent pipeline. We're pretty confident of remaining on schedule to get that done by late February 2020."

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