Island Bend Dam

Island Bend Dam
Location of the Island Bend Dam in
New South Wales
Country Australia
Location Snowy Mountains, New South Wales
Coordinates 36°19′10″S 148°28′13″E / 36.31944°S 148.47028°ECoordinates: 36°19′10″S 148°28′13″E / 36.31944°S 148.47028°E
Status Operational
Opening date 1965
Owner(s) Snowy Hydro
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity dam
Impounds Snowy River
Height 49 metres (161 ft)
Length 146 metres (479 ft)
Dam volume 60,400 cubic metres (2,130,000 cu ft)
Spillways 1
Spillway type Controlled
Spillway capacity 2,832 cubic metres per second (100,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates Island Bend Pondage
Total capacity 3,084 megalitres (108.9×106 cu ft)
Catchment area 221 square kilometres (85 sq mi)
Surface area 327 hectares (810 acres)

Island Bend Dam is a major ungated concrete gravity dam with a controlled spillway across the Snowy River in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's main purpose is for the generation of hydro-power and is one of the sixteen major dams that comprise the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a vast hydroelectricity and irrigation complex constructed in south-east Australia between 1949 and 1974 and now run by Snowy Hydro.

The impounded reservoir is called the Island Bend Pondage.

Location and features

Completed in 1965, Island Bend Dam is a major dam, located within the Snowy River Shire, adjacent to the locality of Island Bend. The dam was constructed by Utah Construction and Engineering Pty Limited based on engineering plans developed under contract from the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority.[1]

The dam wall comprising 60,400 cubic metres (2,130,000 cu ft) of concrete is 49 metres (161 ft) high and 146 metres (479 ft) long. At 100% capacity the dam wall holds back 3,084 megalitres (108.9×106 cu ft) of water. The surface area of Island Bend Pondage is 327 hectares (810 acres) and the catchment area is 221 square kilometres (85 sq mi). The controlled spillway is capable of discharging 2,832 cubic metres per second (100,000 cu ft/s).[1][2]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  2. "Dams". Snowy Mountains Scheme. Snowy Hydro. Retrieved 12 May 2013.

External links