“From our first meeting with Angus on-site where we talked about our vision for the new dam that we wanted him to construct for us and his input at that meeting we knew he was the best choice to do the job.
The job had its challenges but Angus and the team kept at it and we developed a really good working relationship continually communicating with each other and working through the process as the job progressed.
If you just want a hole in the ground then Big Ditch is not the company for you, but if you want a water holding solution that sits naturally in the environment and will be a feature of your property for generations then this company is the best choice to deliver a stand out solution”
Geoff Hooper / NSW
BIG DITCH DESIGNS WATER
Clean lines. Organic shapes. Inviting vistas
THE FUTURE OF WATER
IS BEAUTIFUL
WARNING!
Does your dam leak?
On the right is Andrew Evans of Polymer Innovations
Mr Evans has threatened to sue us twice for having a negative opinion about his product ‘Water$ave.
If your dam is leaking, Mr Evans doesn’t want you to know what we think about his product’s effectiveness.
Site inspections
I charge $500+gst to do a full 90 minute site inspection and assessment of your new dam site, or your dam repair.
That small investment will save you thousands of dollars
You get knowledge, experience and expertise gained from 30 years experience doing one thing – building earth dams – from the person who has built more earth dams than anyone else in Australia.
Complete Design Service
You’re going to be looking at your water feature for the next 30 years, and that water feature should bring a smile to your face every time you look at it.
A bog standard round dam is not going to achieve that, so we only take on work where the client wants to create something extraordinary.
We have a very strong competitor – ourselves. Because we compete with our ourselves and our ability to create magic on every project
Book a site inspection or design proposal today
What makes us special?
We are the only professional dam builders in Australia who offer fixed price contracts.
We pioneered fixed price contracts because we’ve never heard of a contractor who charges by the hour – come in under budget
Charging by the hour is advantageous to contractors. Not you
Fixed price? No problem
- $500 + GST site inspection & assessment
- $2,750 + GST dam design
- $10,000 + GST per megalitre (1-4 mgl)
- $6,000 + GST per megalitre (5-20 mgl)
- $5,000 + GST per megalitre (21-100 mgl)
- $4,000 + GST per megalitre (101+ mgl)
BLOG
The Importance of Regulation Compliance in Dam Construction
Did you know that dam construction failures due to regulatory non-compliance have led to catastrophic losses of life, billions in property damage, and irreparable environmental harm? Behind every dam project ...
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Why Professional Dam Building is Essential for Commercial Projects
When it comes to commercial construction projects, dam building is one of the most crucial tasks that ensures the success and safety of the entire project. Dams play an essential ...
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Top 5 Signs Your Dam Needs Refurbishment and How We Can Help
Dams play a vital role in managing water resources, supporting irrigation, and generating power. They are strong structures, but they can weaken over time due to natural wear and tear ...
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How To Ensure Your Dam Construction Meets All Regulatory Requirements
Natural swimming pools, praised for their eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal, face challenges like maintenance complexity, higher initial costs, design and space limitations, water quality issues, climate dependency, and wildlife attraction. ...
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The 7 Problems With Natural Swimming Pools
Natural swimming pools, praised for their eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal, face challenges like maintenance complexity, higher initial costs, design and space limitations, water quality issues, climate dependency, and wildlife attraction. ...
read more
Which States of Australia are Most Likely to be Affected by Drought?
Australia grapples with recurrent droughts, impacting states differently due to factors like climate patterns, rainfall, temperature, and agricultural methods. Despite its diverse landscapes and wildlife, the nation faces significant drought ...
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How Heatwaves, Droughts, Wildfires, and Floods Are Made Worse by Climate Change
The article discusses how climate change exacerbates heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods. Rising temperatures, altered jet streams, feedback loops, and urban heat islands intensify heatwaves. Changes in precipitation patterns, evaporation ...
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New Research Reveals Environmental Threats Posed by Mine Tailings in Protected Areas
New research from the University of Queensland reveals that a significant portion of the world's mine tailings, about one-third, poses environmental threats to protected areas. Led by Bora Aska, the ...
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Resources for the Self-Builder
At Big Ditch, we are committed to empowering dam self builders with knowledge and expertise. Our ebook collection serves as a valuable resource hub for all your dam construction needs. So, whether you’re embarking on a small-scale project or dreaming of a larger, more ambitious dam, we’ve got you covered.
Browse our ebook collection today and take the first step towards building your own remarkable dam. Start your journey with Big Ditch and let our expertise be your guide.
Last month, the 435 photos of our projects were viewed 29,755 times*
We not only build stunning water features, we take pretty pictures of them too
*Google verified
Projects
BIG TOOLS
Farmgoods. Hardware. Tools.
Sale!
New
Original price was: $209.00.$188.00Current price is: $188.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $269.00.$209.00Current price is: $209.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $39.00.$21.00Current price is: $21.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $209.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $47.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Power tools
JET-USA 4800PSI Petrol Powered High Pressure Washer, w/ 30m Hose and Drain Cleaner – CX760
Original price was: $599.00.$569.00Current price is: $569.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Power tools
UNIMAC CB300 18-64mm 14ga Concrete Finishing Nail Gun, Heavy Duty Pneumatic Air T-Nailer
Original price was: $109.00.$69.00Current price is: $69.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $109.00.$54.00Current price is: $54.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $269.00.$259.00Current price is: $259.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $139.00.$120.00Current price is: $120.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $89.00.$79.00Current price is: $79.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Power tools
BAUMR-AG 40 Tonne Petrol Hydraulic Horizontal and Vertical Towed Wood Log Splitter – HPS700
Original price was: $2,149.00.$2,041.00Current price is: $2,041.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $919.00.$849.00Current price is: $849.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $499.00.$259.00Current price is: $259.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Power tools
Original price was: $239.00.$199.00Current price is: $199.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $279.00.$219.00Current price is: $219.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Power tools
Baumr-AG Diamond Core Drill Bit 102mm Concrete Wet Dry Tile Stone Brick Marble 1-1/4 UNC
Original price was: $59.00.$54.00Current price is: $54.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $459.00.$429.00Current price is: $429.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $559.00.$499.00Current price is: $499.00. ex GST
Sale!
New
Original price was: $299.00.$259.00Current price is: $259.00. ex GST
Innovation & Excellence
At Big Ditch, we understand that positive ecological change and success are the result of persistence, and commitment to our beliefs about water security.
We are delighted that we were named as the winner of the 2021 Global Climate Change Innovation and Excellence Awards.
This is another step in our long journey towards becoming the best eco-friendly dam building company in the world
Lindsey Angus Hughson
Chairman & CEO. Big Ditch Group
FEATURED PUBLICATIONS
Beautiful water plants stop 90% of evaporation losses
And they give you cleaner water
We advise dam owners about organic evaporation solutions using our unique nature-based biomimicry strategies
They are both are indulgent & wasteful
The 2010 Hummer H2 on the left gets 3.8 kilometres per litre – and it indulgently wastes valuable natural resources.
The dam on the right loses 3% of it’s total volume every day, and will lose it’s total volume three times over every year due to the effect of evaporation on its naked water surface.
It’s wastes Australia’s most valuable resource.
Water.
How close to disaster do we need to be before we act?
Australia November 2019 | Australia’s worst ever drought
When one of Australia’s largest power stations wanted to stop evaporation losses from their two massive dams – Big Ditch introduced them to shade balls from our exclusive supplier in the U.S.A
Shade balls are small plastic spheres floated on top of a reservoir. They reduce evaporation losses by up to 90% – and prevent sunlight from causing reactions among chemical compounds present in the water.
In 2014 and 2015, our US shade ball partner put 96 million shade balls onto Los Angeles’ largest reservoir. The balls saved 1.7 million cubic metres of water from evaporating during their deployment from August 2015 to March 2017.
96,000,000
Shade balls deployed
1.7 billion
Litres of water saved
$34.5 million
Cost
We also advise the mining, oil, gas, power industries & major infrastructure projects
We provide streamlined water practice advice & manufactured evaporation management solutions to enable excellence in corporate water stewardship
BET ON EXPERIENCE
To be great at something, you must do it every day
We have over 30 years experience in dam building, and we are the industry leader in the art of earth dam construction
30
Years of experience
323
Dam engagements
31,800
Machine Hours
CORPORATE CONSULTATIONS
When Australian Unity needed water design advice
THEY TALKED TO US
Visual water design for corporate brands
Australian Unity operate 19 upmarket resort style retirement communities up and down the east coast of Australia.
Their residents are sophisticated and stylish people who appreciate the serenity of beautiful water features.
When the installation at Sienna Grange needed an upgrade, we worked closely with senior management on the opportunity to create spectacular visual highlight for their landscape design.
And it all starts with the mood board that defines what success looks like.
EVAPORATION MANAGEMENT
BHP COPPER MINE CHILE
When BHP wanted to more accurately record the evaporation losses from their Chile tailings dam, we talked to them about all the new alternatives
CORPORATE CONSULTING
Water is important to BHP
BHP were looking for technological solutions to monitor water losses in their Chile tailings dam more frequently and accurately, in order to improve the accuracy of the water balance.
BHP’s challenge to us was to suggest a better way to measure evaporation – because when we did that, we could better quantify the real impact of the of water losses – and generate a baseline for management to make better decisions.
This solution could then be applied to all tailings dam around the world.
That’s a huge innovation for the global mining industry
CORPORATE CONSULTATIONS
Robert Oatley Olives are obsessed with perfection
SO THEY TALKED TO US
Robert Oatley Olives make the world’s best olive oil
The Oatley family own Hamilton Island, so they know quality.
And their Olive Oil operation at Gulgong NSW continues that heritage.
When they wanted their old leaking dam to be something they were proud of, we pushed the design boundaries of what was capable in the harsh surrounding geography that is so suitable for growing premium olives.
