Designing a dam that reduces flood risk and prevents environmental degradation of the Heathcote River in Christchurch

Cashmere Valley Dam

Facing environmental challenges can be a long game. We’re doing what we can now to prevent future issues—that’s our aim with the Cashmere Valley Dam, a four-metre-high flood detention structure with the fundamental goal of reducing flooding during heavy rainfall events for roads and properties along the Heathcote River.

Since developing the resource consent application, our team has undertaken preliminary and detailed design for the dam, covering all landscape, civil, geotechnical, and electrical aspects. So far, our work on this ongoing project has also consisted of providing services such as building consent, procurement, and construction. The community is the foundation for our work, but we’ve got the environment in mind with our design. By enhancing sediment filtration, the dam helps to reduce the degradation of the Heathcote River. Our team looked to reduce disruption where possible—for example, the 200,000-cubic-metre stormwater storage was thoughtfully integrated into public amenity spaces through extensive native planting.

Our dams are built to serve their communities, present and future. In Cashmere Valley, we’re implementing our design to help support the safety of residents and strengthen the natural environment around them.