Silvan Dam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Silvan Reservoir from Kalarama |
|
| Creates | Silvan Reservoir |
|---|---|
| Locale | Silvan, Victoria |
| Maintained by | Melbourne Water |
| Length | 644 metres |
| Height | 43 metres |
| Width (at base) | 219 metres |
| Construction began | 1926 |
| Opening date | 7 July, 1931 |
| Reservoir information | |
| Capacity | 40,000 megalitres |
| Catchment area | 900 hectares (off stream storage) |
| Surface area | 333 hectares |
The Silvan Dam is located in Silvan about 30Km East of Melbourne, Victoria.
The dam's history dates back to 1914 when a severe drought forced Melbournians to search for a new water supply to handle their ever increasing needs. Construction took place between the years of 1926 and 1931. When it was finally completed it was 644m long, 219m wide, and 43m deep.
Silvan Dam was officially opened on 7 July, 1931. In 1983 extra work was needed, as the wall had started to show cracks and it was at this time that the picnic ground was added to the Silvan Dam Park.
Silvan is an off-stream storage reservoir, meaning that most of the water is sourced from other reservoirs as the actual catchment (900 hectares) for Silvan is small. Water for Silvan is sourced from reservoirs such as Upper Yarra, O'Shannassy and Thomson (indirectly; via Upper Yarra). In turn, Silvan directly supplies many of Melbourne's eastern suburbs as well as other off-stream storage reservoirs including Cardinia and Greenvale.
Silvan Reservoir has a capacity of 40,000 megalitres.
