Daredevils’ waterslide sparks threat to close dam

Authorities have threatened to close a dam in northern New South Wales after footage emerged of young people using bodyboards to surf down a dangerous 110-metre concrete chute.

Video of the “illegal waterslide” created by the dam’s spillway, originally filmed in May 2016, was shared on Facebook last week, prompting Tweed shire council to warn locals off the practice.

The council’s manager of water, Anthony Burnham, told ABC it put thrillseekers at a significant risk of drowning. “[The spillway has] got a large flip bucket at the end and, with any significant flow, you can be held underwater in that flip bucket. You can be rendered unconscious and drown.”

Other videos posted to YouTube showed footage of similar stunts from as early as 2011.

In 2013 a video sparked calls from local police to end the practice, while a video from 2011 showed two men sliding down the spillway in an inflatable raft.

The latest video amassed 10,000 views after being posted to YouTube in May last year. On 25 September, an edited version was shared on the Facebook page Culturetrip, attracting 40,000 likes and reactions, and 3m video starts.

“Daredevils are using this dam as an illegal waterslide,” it said. “Make sure you seek permission first.”

Burnham said the council had attempted to use CCTV to deter the practice in the past and was now considering a public closure of the Clarrie Hall dam. The spillway chute is lined with sixmetre to eight-metre high walls and narrows to only 12 metres across for much of its length.

The dam has a storage capacity of 15,000ML and a catchment area of 60 sq km. The dam, but not the spillway, has traditionally been open to the public yearround during business hours.