Pioneer Dam decommission plan

August 20, 2025

By Rachel Williams

Procurement for a contractor to dewater and decommission the critically compromised Pioneer Dam is underway.

But another summer could pass before the reopening of the adjacent Pioneer Lake for public access.

Pioneer Lake was shut off by Parks and Wildlife Services in late December, 2024, following initial concerns about the integrity of the dam wall, including safety of vehicular access across the top of the wall, which separates the two water bodies.

A geotechnical report released in May this year confirmed critical deficiencies in the wall’s structural integrity and foundation, raising fears about its long-term safety.

A meeting of the Pioneer Lake Advocacy Group held three weeks ago was told that the procurement process for a specialist contractor to conduct the decommissioning works would commence in August and could take six to eight weeks.

The meeting was told that it would be potentially three to four months before works would begin, placing a start date in December at the earliest.

PWS said the dewatering process was “being progressed as a matter of priority”.

“Regular monitoring of the site continues, and Geotech markers have been installed, until the dewatering and decommissioning is complete,” a PWS spokesman said

“Once the dewatering and decommissioning of Pioneer Dam is complete it is intended that public access to Pioneer Lake will be reinstated.”

Pioneer Recreational Users representative Rodney Bowerman said the priority was to “safely restore recreational use for the community asset to all”.

“At the meeting on July 28, no date for the opening of Pioneer Lake was tabled however the next meeting is being held on Monday, October 27, and PWS shall be in a better position to advise if the lake will be available this summer season,” Mr Bowerman said.

Regardless of when access is restored, there are still ongoing discussions within the Pioneer Lake Advocacy Group about what the future for camping looks like at the location, given complaints from nearby residents about unruly behaviour and waste being left behind.

Items for discussion include the provision of a toilet with local cleaners and management at the camp site.

Council flagged at the advocacy group meeting that the site may fall under the new tourism initiative approved at the July Council meeting relating to a project of significance working group to identify areas and attractions within Dorset that can be advocated for in terms of funding and support.