Mulwala Canal
Encyclopedia
The Mulwala Canal is an irrigation
canal
in the southern Riverina
region of New South Wales
, Australia. It is the largest irrigation canal in the Southern Hemisphere. The canal, starting at Lake Mulwala
, diverts water from the Murray River
across the southern Riverina plain to the Edward River
at Deniliquin. The channel has an offtake capacity of 10,000 megalitres (ML) per day and annually supplies over 1,000,000 ML to 700000 hectares (1,729,736.1 acre) in the Murray Irrigation Area
.
The canal was constructed between 1935 and 1942.
As well as water for agriculture, the canal also provides water for the southern Riverina towns of Berrigan
, Finley
, Bunnaloo
and Wakool
.
Pacific Hydro
operate The Drop Hydro hydroelectric power station on the canal, near Berrigan. The power station, with a generating capacity of 2.5 MW of electricity, is Australia's first hydroelectric power station on an irrigation canal.
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
in the southern Riverina
Riverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
region of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia. It is the largest irrigation canal in the Southern Hemisphere. The canal, starting at Lake Mulwala
Lake Mulwala
Lake Mulwala was created in 1939 by building a dam across the Murray River between Yarrawonga in Victoria and Mulwala in New South Wales to provide irrigation water for the surrounding district...
, diverts water from the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
across the southern Riverina plain to the Edward River
Edward River
The Edward River is a river in the south west Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The river is an anabranch of the Murray River, the longest river in Australia....
at Deniliquin. The channel has an offtake capacity of 10,000 megalitres (ML) per day and annually supplies over 1,000,000 ML to 700000 hectares (1,729,736.1 acre) in the Murray Irrigation Area
Murray Irrigation Area
The Murray Irrigation Area is geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales, between Mulwala and Moulamein. It was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production...
.
The canal was constructed between 1935 and 1942.
As well as water for agriculture, the canal also provides water for the southern Riverina towns of Berrigan
Berrigan, New South Wales
Berrigan is a town located on the Riverina Highway in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Berrigan is in the Berrigan Shire Local Government Area and is the location of the Berrigan Shire Council offices...
, Finley
Finley, New South Wales
Finley is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the largest town in the Berrigan Shire Local Government Area. At the 2006 census, Finley had a population of 2,054 people....
, Bunnaloo
Bunnaloo, New South Wales
Bunnaloo is a village community in the central southern part of the Riverina and situated about 37 kilometres west from Mathoura and 45 kilometres south west of Deniliquin. In 2006, Bunnaloo had a population of 126 people....
and Wakool
Wakool, New South Wales
Wakool is a town in the western Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Wakool is located in the Wakool Shire Local Government Area, south west of the state capital, Sydney and north-west of Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Wakool had a population of 213.Wakool Post Office opened on 1...
.
Pacific Hydro
Pacific Hydro
Pacific Hydro is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and windpower. It was a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange until July 2005. It was subject to a successful takeover offer by a subsidiary of...
operate The Drop Hydro hydroelectric power station on the canal, near Berrigan. The power station, with a generating capacity of 2.5 MW of electricity, is Australia's first hydroelectric power station on an irrigation canal.
External links
- Murray Irrigation Limited — the operator of the canal