Tonkin + Taylor brings comprehensive expertise in dam and hydropower engineering, from site selection and feasibility through to design, construction, and operation with dam safety reviews and monitoring and surveillance services.
Our dam specialist services include
Dam and hydropower design services
- Site selection, concept design and feasibility studies
- Geotechnical investigations
- Engineering geology
- Hydrological and flood hazard studies
- Hydrogeneration energy assessments
- Dambreak modelling and ANCOLD consequence assessments
- Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Detailed dam design and documentation
- Construction phase support
- Construction supervision and management (including GITA Level 1)
- Dam rehabilitation and upgrade designs
- Peer review and expert witness services for dams
- Seismic hazard assessment and geotechnical earthquake engineering design (including FEM analyses)
- Structural design
- Hydraulic structures design (spillways, pipelines, penstocks, intakes, desanders)
- Tunnel design
- NATA-accredited laboartory testing and GITA site supervision services through our sister company, Chadwick Geotechnics
Dam safety services
- Development of Dam Safety Management Systems (DSMS)
- Development and review of operation, maintenance, and surveillance manuals and training
- Emergency Action Plans (EAP) and training
- Dam Safety Deficiency Management procedures
- Dam safety issue registers and tracking
- Technical support for surveillance and instrumentation
- Intermediate Dam Safety Reviews
- Comprehensive Dam Safety Reviews
Wetlands and Retarding basins
Design and construction of wetland and retarding basin systems typically require specialist dam and environmental engineering input. Our expertise in geotechnical, environmental, and water resources engineering mean we can provide comprehensive dam engineering services for the investigation, design and construction of wetlands and retarding basins. We are also able to fulfil the specialist dam engineer role to review designs by others for final authority approval.
Wetland and retarding basin design relies on high quality ground information, laboratory testing, and expert earthworks supervision. Our sister company, Chadwick Geotechnics, works alongside us to provide these services. They have a specialist NATA-accredited laboratory and a team of highly qualified professionals to complete rigorous testing for the design phase of these systems. They also offer Geotechnical Inspection and Testing Authority (GITA) supervision services.
Dams and hydropower engineering experience
Tonkin + Taylor has been assessing, designing and monitoring dams for over 50 years, throughout Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. We have extensive experience on both large and small dams across a range of end uses including hydropower, flood detention, water supply, and energy storage. Our experience further covers appurtenant and ancillary infrastructure, including power stations, spillways, penstocks, bridges, inlet structures, tunnels and roads.
Our capabilities include investigation (often in remote and challenging terrains), assessment, design, consenting, construction supervision, and commissioning of new dams and upgrade works. We also offer expertise in ongoing safety management, safety reviews, surveillance, regulatory compliance, and deficiency management of existing dams during operation, as well as expertise in decommissioning at the end of a dam’s service life.
Complementary services are provided by our sister company, Chadwick Geotechnics, a leading supplier of field engineering, site investigation, instrumentation and laboratory services, including on-site laboratories that provide fast turn-around results from in-situ testing.
Project experience
Leaders in dam design – large and small
- Wivenhoe Dam spillway power station, QLD
- Dam engineering input into wetlands/Retarding basins, VIC
- Snowy Hydro, NSW
- Mornington Peninsula Dam Safety Reviews, VIC
Leading the Way in Dam Engineering
At Tonkin + Taylor, we’re proud to be recognised as thought leaders in dam engineering across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Our experts have played a central role in shaping the New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines (NZSOLD DSGs)—contributing to every version of the guidelines as lead authors, technical reviewers, and working group members.
Our influence extends beyond technical expertise. Tonkin + Taylor professionals have held key positions on the NZSOLD Management Committee, including Chair, Vice Chair, and other leadership roles. Through these appointments, we’ve helped guide national dam safety policy, foster collaboration with international bodies like ICOLD, and promote best practice across the industry. We are also proud corporate members of ANCOLD.
This deep industry involvement ensures our clients benefit from dam safety solutions that are not only technically robust but also aligned with the latest regulatory standards and industry insights.
Contact us
If you’re planning a new project, we’re here to help. Contact our Sector Lead for Water here.
