What is a dam?
Dam means an artificial barrier and its appurtenant structures that:
a) Is constructed to hold back water or other fluid under constant pressure so as to form a reservoir
b) Is used for the storage, control, or diversion of water or other fluid
A dam includes:
i. A flood control dam
ii. A natural feature that has been significantly modified to function as a dam
iii. A canal
A dam does not include a stop bank designed to control floodwaters.
What is an appurtenant structure?
Structures that are integral to the safe functioning of the dam, including the pump house, power source, conduits, penstocks, spillways, sluice gates, intake tower, etc.
Do I need a building consent for a dam?
All large dams that are more than 4 metres in height and holding more than 20,000 cubic litres of water or other fluid dams that meet this criteria are required to obtain a building consent from the Regional Council (ECan).
Exemption 22 of Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 allows the building of smaller dams without a building consent (refer Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Guidance document “Building work that does not require a building consent ”).
What information do I need for building consent?
You will need to get in touch with ECan to discuss building consent requirements for dams.