Myponga celebrates 60 years of dam good water

One of SA Water’s youngest reservoirs is celebrating a milestone birthday this month, with the Myponga Reservoir marking 60 years of water supply.

Nestled on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Myponga was officially opened on 8 November 1962 by then Governor of South Australia, Lieutenant-General Sir Edric Basytan, following four years of construction.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Wastewater Expertise and Environment James Crocker said the reservoir’s creation marked an important step forward in the development of the state’s water resources.

“At the time of building the Myponga Reservoir, South Australia’s economy and population were expanding rapidly and another major water storage was required to support our thriving state,” James said.

“Plans for a reservoir on the Myponga River initially commenced in 1930, however, they were delayed in favour of building our largest storage, Mount Bold Reservoir, before it became evident it was needed by the 1950s.

“The reservoir was built in an area known as Lovely Valley – which was flooded as the dam filled with water – to supply bordering towns and highly productive rural lands extending from Normanville to the metropolitan area, and from the coastline eastwards to McLaren Flat and Willunga.

“Lovely Valley’s name traces back to 1838 and there is a rich cultural history dating back even further, which is reflected in the name Myponga – it originates from the Kaurna word ‘Maitpangga’.

“Before the adjacent water treatment plant was built at Myponga in 1993 to provide customers with a higher quality of drinking water, the reservoir was also used to supplement Happy Valley Reservoir via a 49-kilometre pipeline.

“Myponga’s arch dam is another impressive engineering feat, containing more than 55,000 cubic metres of concrete and a flip bucket spillway with three gates at the top, which have been opened on four separate occasions in recent months to safely release water from the reservoir following sustained rainfall.

“60 years on, the dam wall remains in sound condition with our daily inspections and minor upgrade projects over the years ensuring the safety of the structure.”

Residents living in the area were relocated to enable the reservoir’s construction, with a local newspaper in the late 1950s reporting eight houses were acquired by the State Government.

Two roads now lie under the water’s surface – the original Myponga to Yankalilla main road and Lovely Valley Road – with new roads constructed to replace these, one of which takes people across the dam wall and required new plans to be designed midway through construction to widen the dam’s crest.

Mr Crocker said one of Myponga’s most historic moments came only a few years ago.

“Myponga Reservoir pioneered the opening of our reservoir reserves to the public for recreational access and has welcomed around 180,000 visitors since April 2019,” James said.

“The reservoir’s been transformed into a thriving natural open space supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities, while balancing the need to ensure the safety and security of our drinking water supplies.

“Our wonderful reservoir rangers – who have close to 100 years of service between them all – were pivotal to opening the space and now share their beautiful workplace with the community, and if you ask them, they’ve got the best job in world!”

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