Building My Dream Dam in the Adelaide Hills

By Lilly from Ashton

Living in Ashton, nestled in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, I’ve always had a deep connection with the land. Our little property has been home to veggie patches, fruit trees, a small mob of sheep – and until recently, a frustrating lack of water storage. Every summer, we’d be carting in water or watching our plants struggle through dry spells. After a few too many seasons like that, I decided to finally invest in something more permanent: a dam.

It turns out, dam construction in the Adelaide Hills isn’t as straightforward as I first imagined – but thanks to the right advice and a fantastic team, the whole process ended up being one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever taken on.

Like most people, I started my search with a quick online hunt for dam builders near me. That’s how I came across Trestrail Earthmovers, a local company with a great reputation.

After reading a few glowing reviews and asking around in the community, I gave them a call. That’s when I was introduced to Steve, the owner – and let me tell you, that man knows dams.

From the very first chat, Steve’s passion and experience were obvious. He didn’t just turn up with a digger and a quote – he took the time to walk the property with me, ask questions about how I planned to use the dam, and explain all the different factors that go into how to build a dam that actually works in the long term. Soil type, catchment area, depth, shape, spillway location – I was amazed by how much there was to consider.

One thing Steve emphasised right away was timing. In the Adelaide Hills, the best time to build a dam is late summer or early autumn. The ground is typically dry and firm, which is perfect for excavation and compaction. If you wait until winter, wet soils can cause delays, bogging, and a whole lot of frustration. So we pencilled in a start date for early March.

Once the planning was done, the dam construction itself moved fast. Steve and his team turned up with all the right equipment and got to work without fuss. First came the clearing and marking of the site, followed by excavation. Steve made sure the dam was shaped for both function and safety – a nice deep section for good water storage, but also gentle slopes on one side so local wildlife (and my dog Daisy) wouldn’t get stuck.

I’d originally picked a site that seemed convenient, but Steve recommended a different position slightly higher up the slope. His reasoning? Better catchment potential and less erosion risk. He was absolutely right – after seeing how the water now flows into the dam, I’m so glad I listened to him.

Another part of the process that impressed me was the compaction. Properly compacting the walls and base of the dam is crucial to prevent leaks. Steve explained that some builders skip this step or don’t do it thoroughly, leading to issues down the track. With Trestrail Earthmovers, every step was done right. They also helped set up the overflow pipe and spillway to safely manage excess water in heavy rains.

By late March, my brand-new dam was complete – just in time for the start of the winter rains. And now, in June, I get the absolute joy of seeing it filling up more with every passing week. It’s hard to describe how satisfying it is to watch that clear water rising, knowing that by summer, I’ll have a reliable source for irrigation, livestock, and maybe even the odd swim on a hot day.

One thing I really appreciated about working with Steve was his focus on long-term sustainability. He talked me through options for fencing off parts of the dam to protect it from livestock damage, as well as planting native vegetation around the edges to help stabilise the banks and support local biodiversity. It’s clear he’s not just about moving dirt – he genuinely cares about helping people create dams that work with the environment.

For anyone in the Adelaide Hills considering building a dam, my advice is: go for it – but make sure you get the right team behind you. There’s more to how to build a dam than most people realise, and having someone like Steve from Trestrail Earthmovers guiding you makes all the difference. He’s not just a contractor – he’s a problem solver, a planner, and a genuinely good bloke.

So now, with the winter rains rolling in and my dam steadily filling, I find myself checking on it every morning like a kid with a new toy. It’s more than just a water source – it’s a smart investment in the land I love.

If you're searching for dam builders near me and you’re lucky enough to live in or near the Adelaide Hills, I highly recommend giving Steve a call. Thanks to his expertise, my little corner of Ashton is now better prepared for the seasons ahead – and looking more beautiful than ever.