SES issues emergency flood warning following Echunga dam failure

A flood emergency warning has been issued due to the high risk of a dam collapsing, threatening Echunga homes.

The State Emergency Service SA has issued an emergency warning with a dam at risk of collapsing just 500m from the Echunga township in the Adelaide Hills.

The alert confirmed a dam on private farming lands between Marianna St and Church Hill Rd could collapse, threatening the safety of residents in the area.

The SES said on Tuesday the dam was leaking and slippage at the wall meant about 40 properties were at serious risk of being inundated.

It is trying to pump most of the water out of the dam but is being hampered by a very small drainage pipe under the town.

By Thursday morning, emergency crews had lowered the water level by more than two metres and the SES will consult engineers to understand the necessary next steps.

The message advised to follow emergency plans, prepare for flooding and to relocate to a safe place outside of the warning area or to the Echunga Football Club – where many residents are now gathering.

All roads into Echunga are closed including Aldgate-Strathalbyn Rd, Echunga Rd, Battunga Rd, Strathalbyn Rd and Church Hill Rd.

SES PRESS CONFERENCE:

#FLOOD Emergency Warning MESSAGE issued for dam failure at Echunga. If you are in this area, prepare for flooding. Relocate outside the warning area or to the safer place at the Echunga Football Club. More info: https://t.co/trkktUn91x ID:342/3

— SASES (@SA_SES) September 27, 2022

Dam Failure Watch and Act map. Picture: SES

The population of Echunga and the surrounding districts is 1865 according to the 2021 Census.

SA Police Senior Constable Kylie Simpson told ABC Radio 15 to 20 people in the high risk zones had been contacted by emergency services.

WATCH: ZOOM INTO THE FLOOD RISK ZONE

“Initially it was said there’s about 80 homes around the area, but 15 or 20 are in this sort of high risk zone,” she said.

“It’s a big dam and it’s on a hill, so the water will run down. They have been spending some time overnight trying to cut in and direct the water, but unfortunately that hasn’t worked.”

SA SES state duty officer David O’Shannessy said the dam had deteriorated since Tuesday afternoon.

Mark Badcock and Tracey Wadsley sandbag their property on the main street of Echunga. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Police close the Strathalbyn road into Echunga from Hahndorf after the dam failure warning was issued. Photography by Kelly Barnes

“The dam is estimated to be 10 megalitres … we are currently working through the process to determine how many people will be affected.”

Mr O’Shannessy told The Advertiser the SES was not concerned about neighbouring districts.

“We think this is a localised event and if it were to fail, the water would likely fall into the catchments and dissipate quickly,” he said.

SA SES was continuing to work on lowering the level of the dam through the excavation of a spillway and pumping.

Veterinary nurse at neighbouring business, HorseMedSA said the area has received a significant amount of rain in previous days.

Community members who wish to receive sandbags can collect these from Echunga CFS station at 44 Adelaide Rd, Echunga.

A Dam Failure Watch and Act message was previously issued yesterday evening.

At the time, a spokesman from SA SES said walls of the dam were sagging on one side and over a dozen SA SES personnel were working to save the wall.

For SES assistance, call 132 500.

The Advertiser recently reported on parts of Adelaide at risk of flooding – set to get worse with a third year of La Nina weather forecast. See the map of areas at risk.

Originally published as SES issues emergency flood warning following Echunga dam failure