There has bee quite a bit of discussion on the photos of this lake on flickr. I have to say that I am disappointed that the dam is not open for viewing by the general public. However there is a kind offer by the locals to overcome the defect. But in the end it is a kind of bribery. Do not tell people bad things about what we have done and we will let you into places that the general public are not allowed. Otherwise you will be barred. This is a public bit of infrastructure and the public should be allowed in.
T-R-U-E-M-A-N says: Interesting, it looks like its old and about to fall apart, but i dont actually think it is
yewenyi says:
According to Wikipedia it has had a chequered life:
Construction commences
The dam is the headwater storage for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (M.I.A.). The dam has a long history, construction having commenced in 1907. Due to World War I, the dam was not completed until 1928. A major flood in May, 1925 far exceeded all previously recorded floods and resulted in the dam wall being overtopped to a depth of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in)1m.
Enlargement
A strengthening and enlargement works program was undertaken between 1938 and 1957 (this time delayed by World War II) which raised the dam to a height of 80 metres (260 ft) and provided a maximum spillway discharge capacity about twice the peak discharge of the 1925 flood.
A major flood in 1974 eroded unweathered granite from an unlined spillway discharge channel which then resulted in the destruction of a penstock to the Burrinjuck Power Station. The outlet valves of the dam were also destroyed during the same flood. These events prompted a review of the safety of the dam which recommended a new remedial works program.
Upgrade
This project involved raising the existing dam wall by 12 metres (39 ft) to its present height of 92 metres and installing post-tensioned ground anchor cables to improve the security of the dam during major floods. At the time, the Burrinjuck Dam Flood Security Upgrading project was unprecedented in two respects;
1. the post-tensioning force required per metre length of dam crest and,
2. the intensity of the flood discharge over the unlined sections of the side channel spillways during the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF).
The upgrading works were completed in 1999 at a cost of $79.5 million (AUD).
Roy Wales says:
It is a very interesting place and I was fortunate enought to have been employed by State Water NSW for 12 yrs, based at Burrinjuck Dam from 1993 – 2005. Many a tour was had showing visitors throughout the wall including the crest and flood gate galleries. During my tenure I witnessed the completion of the abovementioned upgrade by Thiess, a southern sluice gate upgrade by Clough Engineering and the construction of a new complimentory hydro power station by Transfield & Alstom.
yewenyi says:
thanks for the comment roy! I stay occasionally at a friends farm a bit up river. I did not know you can do tours. Do you have any info on how I might get on one?
Roy Wales says:
I haven’t been there for a few years but would be confident in thinking things haven’t changed too much. As a staff member and sometimes acting storage officer in charge I always appreciated a curteous approach by individuals looking for a closer look. A couple of tips that may be of advantage;
* ph. 02 6227 8121 in advance
* outline exactly the number of people in your expected party
* try to estimate how much time you hope to be given
Remember it is entirely up to the storage officer’s (custodian) discretion. That was pretty much how it was when I was there under state Govt control. They have had a major reform and restructure sinse but I am almost certain policy toward public access hasn’t changed a great deal.
The operator at Burrinjuck Dam is a personal friend of mine and we plan to revisit the wall again this coming June while visiting family in Yass.
I hope this info is of some help to you.
Cheers
Roy
[geo_mashup_map]