Upper Yarra Dam
Encyclopedia
The Upper Yarra Reservoir is located east of Melbourne
, beyond Warburton
within the locality of Reefton
. Water from Upper Yarra Reservoir supplies towns in the upper Yarra Valley, and Silvan Reservoir, which transfers water to most parts of Melbourne.
Upper Yarra Reservoir has a capacity of 200,000 megalitres (million litres) and was completed in 1957, initially for the purpose of preventing flooding downstream. In 1888, the Upper Yarra catchment was permanently reserved for water supply purposes. Approval to construct Upper Yarra Reservoir was granted in the early 1940s but due to World War II
work did not start until 1948. When the Upper Yarra Reservoir was completed the total storage capacity of Melbourne's system was tripled to nearly 300,000 megalitres.
Upper Yarra Reservoir is also supplied by water transferred from the Thomson River Dam
.
As at January 2007, severe drought in south-eastern Australia
has resulted in low water levels in the reservoir, which on 5 January 2007 was approximately half full.
As at 8/9/2010: 151,099 megalitres (75.3% full).
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, beyond Warburton
Warburton, Victoria
Warburton is a town in Victoria, Australia, 72 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2006 Census, Warburton had a population of 2288....
within the locality of Reefton
Reefton, Victoria
Reefton is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia, on the Warburton Woods Point Road. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2006 Census, Reefton had a population of 325. The Upper Yarra Reservoir lies within the locality....
. Water from Upper Yarra Reservoir supplies towns in the upper Yarra Valley, and Silvan Reservoir, which transfers water to most parts of Melbourne.
Upper Yarra Reservoir has a capacity of 200,000 megalitres (million litres) and was completed in 1957, initially for the purpose of preventing flooding downstream. In 1888, the Upper Yarra catchment was permanently reserved for water supply purposes. Approval to construct Upper Yarra Reservoir was granted in the early 1940s but due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
work did not start until 1948. When the Upper Yarra Reservoir was completed the total storage capacity of Melbourne's system was tripled to nearly 300,000 megalitres.
Upper Yarra Reservoir is also supplied by water transferred from the Thomson River Dam
Thomson River Dam
The Thomson Dam is located on the Thomson River about 130 km east of Melbourne in Gippsland near the former township of Beardmore and the Baw Baw National Park....
.
As at January 2007, severe drought in south-eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
has resulted in low water levels in the reservoir, which on 5 January 2007 was approximately half full.
As at 8/9/2010: 151,099 megalitres (75.3% full).