Copeton Dam

Copeton Dam
Copeton Dam spillway, from the northern side looking west.
Copeton Dam is located in New South Wales
Copeton Dam
Location of the Copeton Dam
in New South Wales
LocationNew England, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates29°54′23″S 150°55′38″E / 29.90639°S 150.92722°E / -29.90639; 150.92722
Purposehydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and water supply
StatusOperational
Construction began1968
Opening date1973
Owner(s)WaterNSW
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsGwydir River
Height113 m (371 ft)
Length1,484 m (4,869 ft)
Width (crest)10.7 m (35 ft)
Dam volume8,547 m3 (301,800 cu ft)
Spillway typeGate-controlled concrete chute spillway
Spillway capacity1,280,000 ML (45,000×10^6 cu ft) per day
Reservoir
CreatesLake Copeton
Total capacity1,364,000 ML (48,200×10^6 cu ft)
Catchment area5,360 km2 (2,070 sq mi)
Surface area4,600 ha (11,000 acres)
Maximum width427 m (1,401 ft)
Maximum water depth104 m (341 ft)
Power Station
Operator(s)AGL Energy
Commission dateDecember 1996 (1996-12)
TypeConventional
Turbines1
Installed capacity21 MW (28,000 hp)
Annual generation54.3 GWh (195 TJ)
Website
Copeton Dam at www.statewater.com.au

Copeton Dam is a major clay core and rock fill embankment dam with nine radial gates and a gated concrete chute spillway across the Gwydir River upstream of Bingara in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's purpose includes environmental flows, hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. The impounded reservoir is called Lake Copeton.