The first deliveries of water from the Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme began to flow in November 2020.
The scheme serves the communities of Scottsdale, Bridport, Springfield, Nabowla, and Waterhouse. Water from the scheme is applied to pasture-based enterprises (dairying, livestock finishing) and will also be used for poppies, potatoes and fresh vegetable production.
The scheme has the capacity to supply 8,600 ML of water, delivered at a 120-day flow-rate over a 150-day delivery period on which the summer irrigation season is based.
The new 9,300 ML Camden dam is filled each winter from Camden Rivulet. A pump station on the St Patricks River enables supplementary filling of the dam. Water from Camden dam is then pumped 7km via a mini-hydro station to the Headquarters Road Dam.
From Headquarters Road dam water flows by gravity through an 84km pipe network around the Scottsdale Irrigation District. There are also releases into the Great Forester River, Hurst Creek and Brid River for direct take.