Buckenbowra Weir removal investigations

Buckenbowra Weir is located on the Buckenbowra River - a tributary of the Clyde River - on the south coast of NSW. This aging infrastructure has been impacted by repeat flood events, causing damage to the downstream rock protection.

The water stored by the weir was previously used by Eurobodalla Shire Council to supplement town water supply. In 2024 a larger water storage dam began construction that will soon replace Buckenbowra Weir.

Although the weir is relatively low and has a "submerged orifice" fishway attached, it continues to form a barrier to fish passage within the Buckenbowra River. The fishway was included when the weir was built mid-last century and is a design that is inappropriate for native Australian fish. Therefore fish need the weir to be submerged before they can make their way upstream.

As the weir is now no longer needed, removal can be investigated. Weir removal will provide a permanent improvement to fish passage within the Buckenbowra River, increasing population resilience and allowing fish to move between estuarine and freshwater habitats more readily.

As with all instream works, due diligence is required to determine impacts on flora, fauna and river sediment transport following weir removal. These environmental assessments will inform whether is it possible for the weir to be removed.