Leslie Massey
Australia has many reservoirs and dams that provide water and power supply to the country. There are three key water storage facilities in the Australian Capital Territory, with the fourth source of water for Canberra, Googong Dam, in NSW. The largest reservoir in New South Wales is Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains, which is also used for irrigation in Victoria and South Australia. Queensland has 183 key water storage facilities, while South Australia has 10 reservoir reserves open to the public, including Thorndon Park Reservoir and Myponga Reservoir Reserve. Lake Argyle on the Ord River is a significant irrigation scheme dam in Western Australia. In addition to these, Reservoir is also the name of a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, with a population of 51,096 as of the 2021 census.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne's Central Business District | 12 km (7.5 mi) north |
| Local government area | City of Darebin |
| Population | 51,096 (as of 2021 census) |
| Common ancestries | Italian, Australian, English, Greek, Irish |
| Common countries of birth | Italy, India, China, Greece, Vietnam |
| Notable features | Northland Shopping Centre, Preston Market, Sydney Road shops and restaurants, one of three remaining drive-in cinemas in Melbourne, a mosque built by the Albanian Australian community |
| Nearby reservoir | Thorndon Park Reservoir (Adelaide's first reservoir, built in 1860, now a recreational park) |
| Water sources | Googong Dam (in NSW), Lake Eucumbene (in NSW) |
| Other reservoirs in Australia | Myponga Reservoir Reserve (in South Australia), Beetaloo Reservoir (in South Australia) |
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What You'll Learn
Reservoir parks in Victoria
Victoria, Australia, is home to several reservoirs and parks. Here is a list of reservoir parks in Victoria:
Maroondah Reservoir Park
Maroondah Reservoir is located on the Watts River, to the north-east of Melbourne in the scenic Yarra Valley town of Healesville. The park can be found along the southern shoreline of the dam and features interesting gardens with both native and exotic trees. In spring, the park is filled with colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. Maroondah Reservoir Park includes picnic and BBQ areas, rotundas, and a playground.
Greenvale Reservoir Park
Greenvale Reservoir Park is located in Melbourne's northern suburbs and features extensive parkland. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, BBQ shelters, playgrounds, and walking and bicycle tracks.
Silvan Reservoir Park
Silvan Reservoir Park is an easy drive from Melbourne, set in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. The park offers landscaped picnic areas, sprawling lawns, and beautiful views of the reservoir from the lookout, all surrounded by a eucalypt forest. Visitors are advised to take their rubbish with them for recycling and disposal, as bins are not provided. Barbecues must be lit in open areas away from trees and long grass, and drones are not permitted.
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park is nestled in the Christmas Hills, offering tranquil settings for picnics or strolls by the reservoir shores. The park features designated areas for shoreline fishing and several parks with wonderful views across the water. There is also a 15-kilometre walking trail that circumnavigates the reservoir.
Yan Yean Reservoir Park
Yan Yean Reservoir, located on Melbourne's north-eastern fringe, is the city's oldest reservoir, dating back to 1857. The parkland includes picnic and BBQ facilities, walking tracks, and extensive wetlands with abundant birdlife. Fishing, boating, and swimming are permitted in the lake.
Tarago Reservoir Park
Tarago Reservoir is surrounded by bushland and features an attractive picnic area with sloping lawns.
Upper Yarra Reservoir Park
The Upper Yarra Reservoir is located within the Yarra Ranges National Park, north-east of Warburton.
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South Australia's reservoir reserves
South Australia has 10 reservoir reserves open to the public that offer rest and recreation opportunities. Each reservoir reserve offers different activities, but it is important to remember that they also store vital water supplies for the state. As such, there are strict rules in place to protect the water from contamination. For example, dogs are not permitted, except for assistance dogs, and swimming and immersion in water are not allowed.
Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve is just 35 minutes from the centre of Adelaide and combines adventure, family fun, and environmental conservation. Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve, Adelaide’s oldest and smallest reservoir, is located in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs. It offers a range of land-based activities, including walking and cycling trails, and an 800-metre dam wall that can be walked or ridden across.
Mount Bold Reservoir, about 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, is the largest reservoir in South Australia. The reserve is surrounded by more than 5,500 hectares of land, including stringybark woodland, manna gum woodland, swamps, and creeks. More than 160 native animals live in the area, including the southern brown bandicoot.
Barossa Reservoir is a popular tourist destination north of Adelaide, famous for its Whispering Wall. The unusual acoustic phenomenon allows sounds and voices to carry from one end of the dam wall to the other.
Warren Reservoir, located southeast of Williamstown in the Barossa Valley, is open for fishing. It is stocked with Murray cod, golden perch, and silver perch, and there are three picnic areas. South Para Reservoir Reserve is also near Williamstown and is the second-largest reservoir in South Australia. It offers a network of trails for hiking or mountain biking and kayaking or canoeing.
Beetaloo Reservoir, the state’s smallest reservoir, is east of Port Pirie in the southern Flinders Ranges. It offers shore-based fishing and is stocked with golden perch, silver perch, and Murray cod. There is also a sheltered picnic area with barbecue facilities and lots of birdlife. Bundaleer Reservoir, located near Spalding in the southern Flinders Ranges, is another great spot for fishing and birdwatching.
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The Snowy Mountains Scheme
The idea for the Snowy Mountains Scheme was first proposed in 1944 by the NSW Government, who wanted to use the area's water for power and irrigation. The Scheme was officially launched in 1949 and took 25 years to complete, finally being finished in 1974. The plan was to divert the waters of the Snowy Mountains region to increase electricity generating capacity and provide irrigation water for the dry west. The Scheme was constructed by the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority, and it was overseen by Chief Engineer Sir William Hudson.
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New South Wales' Lake Eucumbene
Lake Eucumbene is located in New South Wales, Australia. It is situated in the Snowy Mountains, approximately 40 kilometres from Cooma at its closest point. The lake sits at an elevation of 1200 metres above sea level, making it a pristine alpine lake. The closest town to Lake Eucumbene is Adaminaby, which was established in 1830.
The lake was formed by the construction of a dam, which was completed in 1958. The dam was initially called the Adaminaby Dam, Reservoir, or Storage and was considered the heart of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Lake Eucumbene is the largest of the Snowy Scheme lakes, holding around nine times the volume of water of Sydney Harbour. The flooding of the Eucumbene Valley to create the lake had a significant impact on the local community, as it obliterated the town of Old Adaminaby and the surrounding pastoral region.
Lake Eucumbene is known for its diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers. The lake and its surrounding wetlands provide important habitats for various bird species, including waterfowl, waders, and raptors. Birdwatchers can spot species such as the Australian pelican, black swan, and wedge-tailed eagle. The lake is also home to several fish species, including brown trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon, making it a popular fishing destination. The trout species are regularly stocked by local authorities to maintain healthy populations and ensure sustainable fishing.
In addition to its natural beauty and ecological significance, Lake Eucumbene offers a wide range of water sports and adventure activities. Boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and canoeing are popular pastimes on the lake, while the nearby Snowy River offers white-water rafting for thrill-seekers. The lake also provides a variety of accommodation options, from camping and cabins to luxury resorts, making it a popular tourist destination in New South Wales.
Lake Eucumbene holds cultural and historical significance, with the remains of Old Adaminaby and the surrounding region now of State heritage importance. These remains showcase the area's pastoral development, town growth, copper mining history, and transient labour camps, providing insights into the lifestyles, commerce, transport routes, and traditions of the past. The site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2008, recognising its importance in preserving the state's historical and cultural legacy.
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The Northern Territory's water storage facilities
The Northern Territory has 805 named water storage facilities, four of which are considered major dams according to the Australian National Committee on Large Dams. The Northern Territory has two main climatic zones: the Top End, which covers the northern third of the territory and has a distinct wet and dry season, and the arid zone, which covers the southern two-thirds and has no clear wet season. The Top End experiences over 95% of its rainfall between October and April, with rainfall exceeding 600mm most years. This zone also experiences seasonal streamflow, with daily peak flows more than 10 times the average wet season flows. The arid zone, on the other hand, has variable and episodic rainfall, typically receiving less than 600mm of precipitation annually.
Some of the notable water storage facilities in the Northern Territory include the Darwin River Dam, the Katherine River Dam, and the Keep River Dam. These dams are essential for flood mitigation, water supply, and environmental flows in their respective regions.
In addition to these major dams, the Northern Territory also utilizes a network of smaller dams, weirs, and water retention basins to capture and store rainwater. These smaller facilities are strategically located to take advantage of the territory's variable rainfall patterns and provide localized water supply solutions.
The Northern Territory's water storage infrastructure is continuously being developed and upgraded to meet the territory's growing water demands and to improve the resilience of its water supply systems during periods of variable rainfall and drought. Effective management of these water storage facilities is critical for the Northern Territory's long-term water security and sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
Maroondah Reservoir is located in Victoria, on the Watts River, to the north-east of Melbourne.
Happy Valley Reservoir is in South Australia, just 35 minutes from the centre of Adelaide.
Lake Nillahcootie is located in Victoria, on the Broken River between Benalla and Mansfield.
The Googong Dam is in New South Wales, and it is the fourth source of water for Canberra.
Lake Eucumbene is located in New South Wales, in the Snowy Mountains. It is the largest reservoir in the state.
