Dam bursts at Greenock in Barossa Valley
SEE THE VIDEO: Emergency services have drained a dam in the Barossa Valley after it burst its banks and sent water gushing towards the town of Greenock.
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EMERGENCY services have drained a dam in the Barossa Valley after it burst its banks and sent water gushing towards the town of Greenock.
A large hole formed in a wall of the 20-megalitre dam, off Dommenz Rd, allowing water to rush towards Greenock Creek, which flows through the centre of the town.
About 120 CFS and SES volunteers converged on Greenock just after 11am to protect houses and businesses from potential flooding.
Light Group Officer Randal Searle said there were early concerns that homes would be inundated.
“The initial run went through the town and put some houses under threat,” he said.
“We were concerned it may take more of the bank out and it would pose a bigger threat on the town but this point in time that doesn’t appear to be the case.
“It seems to be stable.”
Mr Searle said crews would also drain the dam to lower the risk of flooding.
“We’re actually going to drain some water out of the dam ... to drop the level below the breach,” he said.
There are also concerns that rising river levels could flood areas around Clare and Auburn in the Mid North.
Kapunda SES deputy unit manager Judith Hackett said crews were also sandbagging along Old Adelaide Rd ahead of more expected rain this evening.
“Because of all the rain ... we’re taking every precaution to prevent (flooding),” she said.
Greenock Creek Tavern manager Alicia Coombs said sandbags were placed around the hotel to protect its underground cellars, which housed its beer systems and kegs.
“The cellars were our main concern,” she said.
