After a week-long effort, the dam on Bridge Hill, Alexandra, is free of the raupo which clogged nearly three-quarters of it and left it coated with ''stinking'' sludge.
And the neighbours are pleased. Hugh Clarke, who organised the clean-up, said many people deserved credit for the work.
They included Central Otago District Council parks team leader Ian Mann, and owners and employees from Benchmark Construction, Harliwich Holdings, Meyer Construction, Central Excavating, Loose Contracting, North Otago Road Metals, Samuel Fencing, and Alexandra man Ian Aitcheson.
''Thanks go to all the positive people and companies who have contributed to this project and intend to ... This was a very challenging job due to years of neglect and we greatly appreciate the generosity.
''As individuals, none of us could have done it.''
Mr Clarke had used his knowledge and contacts as a former contractor to gather a team to carry out the work.
They also helped with health and safety and management plans for the project.
The dam had been in ''bloody awful'' condition, and had not had water in it for ''about a year'' before it was cleared, he said.
Now, after work was completed over the Christmas period, the dam is re-filling, the banks have been reshaped, beaches created, raupo cleared, retaining walls fixed, and birds are returning.
Pukeko, ducks and teal are already on the water.
Some raupo had been left to provide shelter for Australian coots.
Mr Clarke said he hoped the dam would be completely re-filled by the stream flowing into it in about a month.
''It's a big relief to all the locals around the Bridge Hill area. It means a lot.''
Alexandra woman Ingrid Mueller said she had brought the issue of the dam to the attention of the public in winter last year, and was pleased it had been resolved.
''It was a lot of work in a very, very short time.
''It's now such an asset for Alexandra, in its location next to Jolendale Park.''
Mr Clarke had contributed some of his own money to the work, and a bank account was set up to raise funds to pay contractors.
So far, about $7000 had been raised.
Fundraising would finish at the end of January.
It is intended the Central Otago District Council will undertake raupo growth control measures annually.
Mr Mann said the dam area was in the process of being vested to the council by the Department of Conservation.
He was also in talks with the Jolendale Park Charitable Trust about ongoing maintenance.
It was planned that the cost of work would be covered by the trust rather than by ratepayers.
People interested in helping with work could contact the council.
