The $4 million Burrendong temperature control curtain project is a finalist in two categories in the Sydney division of the 2014 Engineering Excellence Awards, State Water said.
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State Water is a joint entrant with AMOG Consulting and Geotechnnical Engineering Pty Ltd in the Engineering for Regional Communities and the Environment and Heritage categories.
Project manager Guresh Ahuja said this was the second year in a row State Water had been a finalist in the awards.
"Last year State Water's Computer Aided River Management (CARM) project won its category and the major award for the evening and the Copeton Dam safety upgrade project was also highly-commended," Mr Ahuja said.
"We are delighted the innovative Burrendong curtain project has been recognised as a finalist in this year's awards.
"The awards gives us an opportunity to promote this Australian first project and the extensive work that has gone into making this project a success."
The temperature control curtain is a flexible structure installed around the intake tower of Burrendong Dam to enable warm surface water to be released downstream into the Macquarie River.
Prior to the installation of the structure, cold water was released from the bottom of the dam resulting in a temperature difference of up to 10 degrees, which was harmful to native fish.
AMOG said they were proud to be partnering with State Water on this project and were pleased to be able to apply their expertise and skills in concept design innovation to create a world first with the Burrendong Dam curtain.
Geotechnical engineering project manager Matthew Sentry said Geotech enjoyed a good working relationship with State Water, AMOG and other key stakeholders during the works.
"We are proud of the Burrondong project delivery team for their efforts and the recognition received," Mr Sentry said.
"It is validation for all of the hard work, teamwork and collaboration that has occurred throughout the project.
"Geotech is proud to be a part of a team which has been able to deliver a unique and innovativeconcept to improve the local environment and be able to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Macquarie River system."
The project is set to benefit the river ecology and increase the temperature of the river downstream of the dam to a range more habitable for native fish.
The technology may be rolled out to other dams across NSW following results of this project.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday, September 19 2014.
