Scrivener Dam | |
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Country | Australia |
Location | Canberra, ACT |
Coordinates | 35°17′59″S 149°04′20″E / 35.29972°S 149.07222°E |
Purpose | Recreational and ornamental |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | September 1960 |
Opening date | 20 September 1964 |
Construction cost | A$5,039,050 |
Owner(s) | National Capital Authority |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Gravity dam |
Impounds | Molonglo River |
Height | 33 metres (108 ft) |
Length | 319 metres (1,047 ft) |
Width (crest) | 19.7 metres (65 ft) |
Width (base) | 30.5 metres (100 ft) |
Dam volume | 55,000 m3 (1,900,000 cu ft) |
Spillways | 5 |
Spillway type | Hydraulic; fish-belly flap gates |
Spillway capacity | 8,500 m3/s (300,000 cu ft/s) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Lake Burley Griffin |
Total capacity | 33,000,000 m3 (1.2×109 cu ft) |
Catchment area | 183.5 square kilometres (70.8 sq mi) |
Surface area | 664 hectares (1,640 acres) |
Maximum length | 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) |
Maximum width | 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) |
Maximum water depth | 18 metres (59 ft) |
Normal elevation | 556 metres (1,824 ft) |
Scrivener Dam is a concrete gravity dam that impounds the Molonglo River in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The dam creates Lake Burley Griffin, which was established for recreational and ornamental purposes. Named in honour of surveyor Charles Scrivener, the dam was officially inaugurated on 20 September 1963 and the official filling of the lake commemorated on 17 October 1964 by the Prime Minister, Robert Menzies.
The dam wall is located on Lady Denman Drive and is adjacent to the National Zoo & Aquarium and a viewing area for the official residence of the Governor-General of Australia.