Ord M1 Channel upgrades

Customers along the M1 Channel

Construction will involve clearing land within Water Corporation’s M1 reserve. Customers who have pumping equipment, pipes, structures or are using land within Water Corporation’s M1 reserve will need to remove their infrastructure before work begins. If you have any questions in relation to this, including whether any of your equipment is within the Water Corporation M1 reserve boundary, please get in touch using the contact details on the webpage.

As part of the work, Water Corporation intends to provide a new connection point to all existing customers along the M1 Channel inside their adjacent property boundary. We will work with customers individually to help facilitate relocation of pumps, pipes and valves to the new connection point.

Customers in the general area

As with any construction work, customers in the area will notice an increase in noise, traffic management, activity, dust, and vibration. We will advise customers of impacts in advance and work with you where possible to reduce inconvenience as much as possible. 

We will require landowners to remove above-ground infrastructure from the M1 reserve, as well as below-ground equipment, such as power, that is not part of Water Corporation offtake infrastructure. We will remove and dispose of any offtake infrastructure contained within the M1 Channel embankment when construction begins. A new offtake and connection will then be installed. There may be a period of time where you do not have access to the channel while we are removing and installing the new connection. Once we have a contractor on board, we will be able to work with each customer on a case-by-case basis regarding their requirements.

Most of the new offtakes will be moved from the Water Corporation reserve onto private property. We will be providing one connection to each property to minimise the number of connections along the channel. Most connections will be served via a common pipe on the boundary of two properties. You can then run a pipe internally to allow you to service other dams or areas.  

Project works commenced with the lowering of the water level of Lake Kununurra from 8 to 22 January 2024 to complete inspection and preparation work for the scheme upgrades. .

 

Site mobilisation and preparation works commenced at the M1C1 control structure for the control gate upgrades.

 

 

M1C1 control structure upgrade site preparation works progressed but hampered by adverse weather and excess rain - remains on track to still be completed on schedule. 

Bypass channels at M1C1 control structure completed - allowing project to continue construction into dry season.

 

Preparation works at M1C1 to be completed by end of April for new control gate installation to commence in May.

 

Access Track Closure - A portion of access track that runs adjacent to the M1 Channel eastern side is closed to public use from 20 March 2024 to approximately August 2024 (construction timeframes subject to change). For safety purposes, access along the channel tracks is restricted to construction vehicles and operational staff only.

 

The closure is from the M1C2 control gate north to the turnoff onto Weaber Plain Road. Please use alternative access routes.

Control Gate Upgrades 

 

Civil works at the M1C1 control gate will be completed in May, prior to installation of the new control gate. Civil works have also commenced upstream at the M1C2 control gate.Installation of the new control gates at the M1C1 will start end of May / early June. 

 

The control gate upgrades will mean the channel is able to deliver the increased peak water flows and better manage and control the delivery of water to customers. 

 

There will be no change to water or lake levels during these works.

Channel widening

Works will soon begin on widening the M1 Channel. Widening works will commence from Mills Road and head north.

 

We will continue to work directly with customers along the M1 channel to regarding the new offtake connection points being installed.

 

Works during the dry season will not affect irrigation supply

Construction of the first new control structure is 85% complete with work to shortly commence on the second. A channel bypass has been constructed to enable the construction of the second control structure (the M1C2).

Works on the 6 m widening of the M1 Channel is 25% complete and will continue over the dry season. Once complete, the upgrade M1 Channel will have an increased the peak flow capacity of 570 megalitres/day (MLD), to a total of 2,990 MLD.This will enable sufficient irrigation water for an additional 5,400 hectares of farmland in the Knox Plain to be developed, supporting the establishment of a sustainable cotton industry

The initial desilting works of the channel are complete to the original design levels, ensuring immediate flow increases could be achieved.

Our authorised contractor, Entracon Civil, will soon start work at the main M1 offtake at Lake Kununurra (next to the PumpHouse), while the M1 Channel is shut down for routine maintenance.

As part of this work, we will be required to close a section of Lakeview Road between Discovery Park and the PumpHouse Kununurra for approximately 10 days from Wednesday 9 October until Thursday 17 October 2024.

The bridge over the M1 Offtake Structure will also be closed. A map of the closure can be seen below.

Water Corporation will need to lower the water level of Lake Kununurra this wet season to carry out essential irrigation infrastructure maintenance as part of our annual schedule and to support upgrades to the M1 Channel.

Given the current recent rainfall and the forecast over the next fortnight, we can now confirm that the lake lowering will commence on Monday, 9 December 2024. The lowering is planned for a two week period.

Undertaking the lake lowering at this time will ensure that lake levels are restored in advance of the Christmas and New Year period, minimising disruption during this important time for the community.

People who are required to navigate the river during this period should consider the risks involved due to lower water levels. Customers may need to make necessary preparations such as moving pumping and ancillary equipment in advance to the lowering on the 9^th December.

Boat and barge owners must remove their vessels from Lake Kununurra, Packsaddle and Crossing Falls to avoid any damage. Boats in Lilly Creek Lagoon can remain in the water provided they are secured as, once the water recedes, they will sit on the riverbed.

We acknowledge that this is short notice and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to complete this essential work.

If you would like to be notified prior to any major changes in Lake Kununurra’s water levels, please contact Water Corporation on (08) 9168 0736 or email your contact details to KununurraDepot@watercorporation.com.au.