Rocky Creek Dam
Rocky Creek Dam | |
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Location of the Rocky Creek Dam in New South Wales | |
Country | Australia |
Location | Northern Rivers, New South Wales |
Coordinates | 28°37′54″S 153°21′04″E / 28.63167°S 153.35111°E |
Purpose | Water supply |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | 1949 |
Opening date | April 1953 |
Owner(s) | Rous County Council |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Embankment dam |
Impounds | Rocky Creek |
Height | 28 metres (92 ft) |
Length | 220 metres (720 ft) |
Dam volume | 153 cubic metres (5,400 cu ft) |
Spillways | 1 |
Spillway capacity | 730 cubic metres per second (26,000 cu ft/s) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Rocky Lake |
Total capacity | 14,000 megalitres (490×10 6 cu ft) |
Catchment area | 31 square kilometres (12 sq mi) |
Surface area | 200 hectares (490 acres) |
Normal elevation | 187 metres (614 ft) AHD |
Website Rocky Creek Dam |
Rocky Creek Dam is a minor
Location and features
Commenced in 1949 and completed in April 1953, the Rocky Creek Dam is a minor dam located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, situated approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of Lismore. The dam is the principal component of the Rous County Council bulk supply network for the region, experiencing population growth.[1] The dam was built by Dayal Singh under contract to the Rous County Council.[2]
The dam wall is made up of about 80,000 tonnes (79,000 long tons) of rock, soil, clay and concrete and is 28 metres (92 ft) high and 220 metres (720 ft) long. At 100% capacity the dam wall holds back 14,000 megalitres (490×10 6 cu ft) of water at 187 metres (614 ft) AHD. The surface area of Rocky Lake is 200 hectares (490 acres) and the catchment area is 31 square kilometres (12 sq mi)[2] which includes the Whian Whian State Forest, Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Conservation area.[3] The area was once used for logging but is now has a conserved and generally pristine catchment environment.[citation needed] The uncontrolled spillway is capable of discharging 730 cubic metres per second (26,000 cu ft/s).[2]
The vegetation in the catchment is mainly
The dam is considered small compared to the size of the population it services. However, the secure yield is high because of the catchment's climate with its consistent high annual rainfall. The nearby Rummery Park rain gauge formerly operated by the Bureau of Meteorology has the highest average annual rainfall in New South Wales. However, in 2003 the lack of rain meant that the water level was at one stage less than twenty per cent.[citation needed]
In 2009 the dam wall was upgraded by ensuring the safety of the dam wall during a maximum probable flood. The upgrade involved the removal of the top of the wall, the installation of a concrete
Water supply
Water from the lake is used as a potable water supply by Rous County Council to the region. It is the primary water source to the centres of Alstonville, Ballina, Byron Bay, Evans Head, and Lismore. Water is pumped from the lake a short distance to the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant and then this water is provided to the region generally through gravity reticulation.
The water available from the Rocky Creek Dam is usually considered very reliable because of the nature of the catchment and the areas climate. However, in 2003 the water level at the dam dropped below 20% and the region was subject to severe water restrictions. Because of this it was decided by Rous County Council to augment the Rocky Creek Dam supply by developing another source on the Wilsons River near Lismore treating it at an upgraded Nightcap Water Treatment plant at Rocky Creek Dam. The emergency Wilsons River source was completed in 2003 and the fully developed Wilsons River source and upgrade of the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant was completed in 2008.[citation needed]
Recreation
Recreation (including swimming and boating) on Rocky Lake is prohibited to protect the high quality of the water in the reservoir. However, a recreational area is provided by Rous County Council near the dam wall including lawns, barbecues, playgrounds, walking tracks (including a board walk and
See also
References
- ^ Hydrosphere Consulting (7 April 2009). "Rouse Water Development Servicing Plan: Bulk Supply Services" (PDF). Rous Water. p. 6. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ a b c "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ a b c "Rocky Creek Dam". Water sources. Rous Water. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ "Rocky Creek Dam closed for engineering works". The Northern Rivers Echo. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
External links
- Rous County Council