| Snowy Mountains Scheme | |
|---|---|
.png) Map of Snowy Mountains Scheme | |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales |
| Coordinates | 36°07′S 148°36′E / 36.12°S 148.6°E |
| Purpose | Hydroelectricity and irrigation project |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 17 October 1949 |
| Opening date | 21 October 1972 |
| Construction cost | A$820 million |
| Operator(s) | Snowy Hydro Limited |
The Snowy Mountains Scheme, also known as the Snowy Hydro[1] or the Snowy scheme, is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. Near the border of New South Wales and Victoria, the scheme consists of sixteen major dams; nine power stations; two pumping stations; and 225 kilometres (140 mi) of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts that were constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Scheme was completed under the supervision of Chief Engineer, Sir William Hudson. It is the largest engineering project undertaken in Australia.[2][3][4]
The water of the Snowy River and some of its tributaries, much of which formerly flowed southeast onto the river flats of East Gippsland, and into Bass Strait of the Tasman Sea, is captured at high elevations and diverted inland to the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers irrigation areas. The Scheme includes two major tunnel systems constructed through the continental divide of the Snowy Mountains, known in Australia as the Great Dividing Range. The water falls 800 metres (2,600 ft) and travels through large hydro-electric power stations which generate peak-load power for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.[3][5] The Scheme also provides some security of water flows to the Murray-Darling basin, providing approximately 2,100 gigalitres (7.4×1010 cu ft) of water a year to the basin for use in Australia's irrigated agriculture industry.
In 2016, the Snowy Mountains Scheme was added to the Australian National Heritage List.[6]
- ^ https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/ [bare URL]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
The Snowy Mountains Schemewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1 January 1986. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Wendy; Balderstone, Simon; Bowan, John (2006). Events That Shaped Australia. New Holland. pp. 189–194. ISBN 978-1-74110-492-9.
- ^ "The Snowy Mountains Scheme". Technology in Australia 1788-1988. Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre. 2000. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ "Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme added to National Heritage List". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.