Ross River Dam

Automated real-time monitoring of water pressure, seepage and structural movement, strengthening flood control and safety for Townsville’s primary dam

The Ross River Dam Project

Ross River Dam, a critical North Queensland infrastructure, was built for flood mitigation to protect 200,000 Townsville residents and serves as a water reservoir. Managed by Townsville City Council, the dam is essential for flood control, especially during cyclone season, when controlled releases may be required. Built in 1971, this 8-kilometer-long rock and earth-filled embankment dam now benefits from a comprehensive monitoring modernisation initiative undertaken by Sixense in 2024.

The Challenges

The primary challenge was to design and implement an automated monitoring system capable of providing continuous, detailed data across the large expanse of the dam embankment and spillway. The vast scale of the structure required innovative approaches to maximise coverage while minimising costs and ensuring data reliability. Additionally, modernising and digitising the existing hydraulic piezometers embedded during the original construction added complexity to the project, as these systems were previously limited in both data collection frequency and reach.

What We’ve Delivered

Sixense delivered a customised, automated monitoring solution for the Ross River Dam, installing sensors to monitor water pressure, seepage, and structural movement along the embankment and spillway. Using only two gateways to collect data, Sixense minimised infrastructure costs while maintaining high-frequency, reliable data collection, all integrated into the Beyond Monitoring platform. This solution provides Townsville City Council with real-time insights into the dam’s condition, improving their ability to assess and ensure the long-term health and stability of the structure.

By digitising the original hydraulic piezometers, this upgrade enables the first-ever automated, real-time data collection, representing a significant improvement over previous systems with limited data frequency and reach. This automation provides essential tools for proactive management, especially during extreme weather events.