Scotts Peak Dam
| Company type | Dam |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectricity / Water management |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS) |
| Headquarters | Tasmania , Australia |
| Products | Water retention for hydroelectric power generation |
The Scotts Peak Dam is a rockfill embankment structure constructed without a spillway on the Huon River, situated in Tasmania's South West region, Australia.
Together with the Edgar Dam and the Serpentine Dam, it impounds the reservoir known as Lake Pedder, which submerged the original natural pond, Lake Edgar, formed by a fault scarp. Built in 1973 by the Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS), this dam is an integral component of the Gordon River Power Development Scheme. The scheme facilitates hydroelectric energy production through the conventional Gordon Power Station. Water from Lake Pedder is channeled to Lake Gordon—created by the Gordon Dam—via the McPartlan Pass Canal.
Location and features
Scotts Peak Dam, along with Edgar and Serpentine Dams, constitutes a vital section of the Gordon River Power Development Scheme. Positioned near Lake Pedder’s eastern extremity within the upper reaches of the Huon River, the dam impounds water at the southern boundary of the lake. Approximately 40% of inflows to the Gordon Power Station originate from Lake Pedder, conveyed through McPartlan Canal into Lake Gordon, from where water is discharged through Gordon Dam.
The dam rests on foundations composed of rock and soil and features a rockfill embankment wall measuring 43 meters in height and extending 1,067 meters in length. The wall is surfaced with asphalt and contains around 584,000 cubic meters of rockfill material. At maximum storage, it holds approximately 2,937,930 megaliters of water. Lake Pedder spans an area of 24,133 hectares and drains a catchment covering 734 square kilometers. Notably, Scotts Peak Dam does not include a spillway.
Although it does not generate hydroelectricity directly, Scotts Peak Dam retains water that is subsequently transferred to Lake Gordon via the McPartlan Pass Canal. In recognition of its engineering significance, Engineers Australia designated it as an Historic Engineering Marker in 2001 alongside twenty-four other dams.
Controversy
The dam’s creation was met with opposition due to its role in flooding Lake Pedder to enlarge the reservoir supporting the Gordon Dam project. This event was instrumental in sparking one of Australia's earliest environmental movements, which later intensified during the 1980s campaign against the Franklin River Dam proposal.
Problems
According to accounts published in the 2008 edition of Ticklebelly Tales, engineers involved with Scotts Peak Dam acknowledged that leaks have existed since its construction phase. Initial design issues included detection of a substantial breach in the bitumen facing wall in 1974. Signs of structural deformation persisted well into the 2010s.
Climate
Situated in Tasmania’s remote south-western area, the dam site endures harsh climatic conditions. Average annual wind speeds reach 27.1 km/h, peaking at 32.9 km/h during September. The location experiences heavy cloud cover and precipitation extremes, with rainfall occurring on approximately 269 days each year and up to 27 days in July alone. Snowfall is frequent throughout all seasons, including summer months.