The Ross River Dam is located 20km southwest of Townsville, Queensland an is not only the major water supply for Townsville and Thuringowa, but also protects these cities from flooding. The dam was built in 1971, with a catchment
area of 750km2 and a capacity of 219,000 mega litres. Beside the 30m high, 40m wide concrete spillway structure, the dam has an earth embankment of some 8km and averages a height of 27m.

As a result of detailed investigation, with reference to local and international dam standards, the entire dam was deemed to need upgrading to achieve compliance at a cost of approximately US$70m. The improvements to the concrete spillway and installation of radial gates have increased capacity by 9% (+21,000 mega litres) providing an additional four months' water supply, as well as allowing better flood control. significant embankment works, including 1,900,000m3 of earthworks, have upgraded its safety to an acceptable level.

Upgrading the spillway involved lowering the crest some 3.8m and providing a new curved "ogee" crest to the original height. In addition, two new piers and three radial gates were fitted. Structural Systems has undertaken a significant share of Australian dam stabilisation projects - including the longest and largest capacity permanent anchors ever undertaken in Australia (91 x Ø15.2 x 142.2m) at Canning Dam - and were the preferred choice of the client , JHMJV to undertake this critical work at the Ross River Dam. The company was engaged to complete nine permanent ground anchors - three in the top of each of the three ogee crests - and around 13m spillway bays, plus additional post-tensioning work to tie back the radial gates, at the trunnion mounting, to two piers and two abutments.

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