Gordon Dam
| Company type | Dam |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectric power generation |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Southwest National Park , Australia |
| Products | Hydroelectric power |
| Parent | Hydro Electric Corporation (Hydro Tasmania) |
The Gordon Dam, frequently referred to as the Gordon River Dam, is a prominent gated double-curvature concrete arch dam featuring a regulated spillway spanning the Gordon River. It is situated within the boundaries of Southwest National Park, Tasmania, Australia, and forms the reservoir known as Lake Gordon.
Built in 1974 by the Hydro Electric Corporation, this dam facilitates hydroelectric power production through the traditional Gordon Power Station located downstream of the dam structure.
Features and location
Comprising of concrete, the Gordon Dam wall stretches to a length of and rises to a height of , making it the tallest dam in Tasmania and ranking fifth among Australia's highest dams.[1] At maximum capacity, it retains of water, giving rise to Lake Gordon—the largest Australian lake by volume.[2] The lake extends over with a catchment area measuring . Its single controlled spillway has a discharge capacity of .[3]
Out of roughly 48 arch dams across Australia, only nine possess double curvature; Gordon Dam stands at nearly twice the height of the next tallest arch dam, Tumut Pondage.[2]
Power station
Water is channeled from the dam through of underground conduit to the power station, where three turbines each rated at generate up to , meeting approximately 13% of Tasmania’s electricity requirements.[4] The initial two turbines commenced operation in 1978, followed by a third turbine added in 1988.[5]
The power station primarily relies on water sourced from Lake Gordon, augmented by inflows from Lake Pedder via the McPartlans Pass Canal.
History
In 1963, the federal government allocated $5 million to Tasmania's Hydro-Electric Commission for constructing the Gordon River Road into the South West Wilderness.[6] Construction began in 1964, and in 1967, the Tasmanian Parliament authorized the Gordon River Power Development. Electricity generation started in 1978, with an additional generator installed in 1988.
Although political backing existed for the downstream Franklin Dam, Gordon Dam was the sole structure erected on the Gordon River. Its construction resulted in planned inundation of Lake Pedder; attempts to restore Lake Pedder were unsuccessful following a parliamentary inquiry in 1995.[7]
The dam’s design was led by chief engineer Sergio Guidici, who later also contributed to designing Crotty Dam—among Hydro Tasmania’s final major dam projects.
This dam links directly to the subterranean Gordon River Power Station located beneath the switchyard.[8]
In 2015, Perth-based YouTube channel How Ridiculous achieved a world record for executing the highest basketball shot at Gordon Dam, a record they have since broken twice.[9]
2015–2016 Tasmanian energy crisis
During an intense drought in 2015 coupled with Basslink connector failure, electricity generation capacity was drastically reduced, causing Lake Gordon’s water level to fall to its minimum operational threshold by March 2016. The reservoir dropped 45 metres to an unprecedented low of six percent capacity, critically affecting energy supply. After Basslink was repaired and unprecedented rainfall occurred, Lake Gordon’s water levels rebounded to -28 metres by January 2017.
Engineering Heritage Award
The dam has been designated as a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia through its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.
References
- ↑ Australia's Highest Dams
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEAsubmission - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedancold - ↑ Hydro Tasmania
- ↑ Engineers Australia
- ↑ Thompson, 1981
- ↑ Hydro Tasmania
- ↑ Hydro Tasmania
- ↑ YouTube: WORLD RECORD Basketball Shot 126.5m (415 ft) - How Ridiculous