The Margaret Dowling Regulator and Fishway structure was installed in Bert Dix Memorial Park, Paringa SA.
Managed by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) as well as SA Water, the project was designed to enhance and where possible restore biodiversity and ecological values through improved water management within Margaret Dowling Creek and the PikeFloodplain, an anabranch of the River Murray.
Active management of the frequency, magnitude and duration of environmental flows through the new structure was the primary focus of the project. York Civil engaged AWMA to supply a double bay regulator, fish way, control cabinet, access platforms and associated electrical equipment.
The gate structure comprised of a 2-in-1 multibay tilting LayFlat gate, measuring 5.3m wide and 3m high. Fixed wheel roller bulkheads were also provided with associated lifting frame and storage racks. The bulkhead design allows insertion during flow conditions, for emergency isolation and maintenance purposes.
The AWMA LayFlat gates were fitted with electric actuators for automatic flow rate control. They have full remote monitoring and control capabilities with integrated SMS alarms. This solution allows operators to control and monitor the site via their mobile phone or tablet, anywhere that they have internet access.
This design is similar to the regulator and fishway solution implemented at Deep Creek (SA).
Independent testing and commissioning of this site found the AWMA flow calculation algorithm to be accurate to 6% of the gauging results.
The new fishway will allow for safe fish passage. Segmented Stopboards 0.8m wide and 3.7m high allow isolation of the fishway entry point, with another set of stopboards 3.4m high utilised for the fishway exit.
The fishway is managed via an AWMA Lifting Ladder for manual insertion and removal of the 100mm segments. A storage rack was also supplied for the fishway stopboards and lifting device.
