In December, the diversion was opened to take creek flows. Under the current design, creek flows that exceed a certain height are split so that the excess water flows down the old Bowman’s Creek, protecting the newly constructed diversion.

On January 31, two days after the heavy rain event over the Australia Day long weekend, NSW water officials and the Singleton compliance office inspected the diversion and found it handled the extra water flow.

The Bowman’s Creek Diversion Management Plan was approved by the Singleton compliance office prior to construction.

The Department of Planning’s monthly compliance report states the diversions are the first of their type in the Hunter Valley and included a number of innovations in re-vegetation and re-stocking of aquatic life.

“In December 2010, Ashton Coal mine received departmental approval to build two diversions of Bowman’s Creek near Camberwell in the Hunter Valley,” the department said.

“These diversions were implemented as part of the mine’s approved underground mining plan.

“A number of innovative features have been installed to simulate a natural water course, including rock weirs, low flow pools and logs. Following initial construction, the site was irrigated to promote vegetation to stabilise the stream banks.”