The erne catchment is the second largest on the island and as early as 1915 proposals had been aired to harness its waters cascading down more than 40 metres between belleek and ballyshannon. Snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme, from university of auckland library at auckland. Snowy hydro is the third largest generator by capacity and provides peak electricity and electricity insurance contracts to the national electricity market. Focusing on some specific case studies, students investigate a. On july 7 1949, the commonwealth parliament passed the snowy mountains hydroelectric power act 1949 the act, which established the snowy mountains hydroelectric authority, the operating body of the snowy mountains scheme. The scheme diverts the headwaters of the snowy, eucumbene and murrumbidgee rivers westward through the great dividing range, releasing water into the murray and murrumbidgee rivers. This was done to ensure water security for the production of. Snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme my place for teachers. The film promotes the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme, a major postsecond world war construction project and a huge engineering feat. Building the snowy snowy mountains hydro electric scheme. The snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme was one of the largest engineering ever undertaken in the world. It tells the story of four generations of women, set against the inundation of the small town of adaminaby, lost to the huge eucumbene dam in the late 1950s.
The snowy hydro discovery centre opened my eyes to the engineering feat that is the snowy mountains hydro electric scheme and the history of cooma nearby. The snowy mountains scheme is the largest hydroelectric scheme in australia. The scheme collects and stores the water that would normally flow east to the coast and diverts it through transmountain tunnels and power stations. The snowy mountain scheme is still the biggest engineering project ever undertaken in australia, and the men who built it were grateful for the latest technology at the time as you can see in this early film. The snowy river is interrupted on its journey to the sea by three dams. The scheme s two major functions are the generation of electricity and the provision of water for irrigation. In this book, the seven power stations, one pumping station, 16 major reservoirs, 145 km of interconnected tunnels and pipelines and 31 turbines are analysed, with comprehensive construction data detailed throughout. Is the snowy mountains scheme the achievement of the. The snowy mountains scheme is a major engineering achievement of the 20th century. When the snowy mountains hydro electric authority was established in 1949, there was a serious national shortage of skilled personnel, equipment and construction materials, as a legacy of world war 2. Snowy hydro limited is an electricity generation and retailing company in australia that owns, manages, and maintains the snowy mountains hydro electric scheme which consists of nine hydro electric power stations and sixteen large dams connected by 145 kilometres 90 mi of tunnels and 80 kilometres 50 mi of aqueducts located mainly in the kosciuszko national park. The way the author draws on the stories of the individual employees and contractors, helps paints a vivid picture of the what it was to work there and brings real intimacy to the story. The snowy mountains hydro electric scheme was one of the largest engineering ever undertaken in the world.
A catchment area any part of land where water drains lowest part. An updated edition covering contemporary environmental issues is now in print and available from snowy hydros information centre, through bookshops isbn 9780977502936, online at booktopia or from coretext books. They have been formulated to encourage students to enjoy the learning process within key learning areas and at the same time, learn about the snowy mountains scheme. The snowy mountains hydro electric scheme is the most complex, multipurpose, multireservoir hydro scheme in the world with 80 kilometres of aqueducts, 140 kilometres of tunnels, 16 large dams and seven power stations, two of which are underground. Edexcel and btec qualifications edexcel and btec qualifications are awarded by pearson, the uks largest awarding body. The schemes largest dam is talbingo dam with an embankment volume of 14 488 000 m 3 and a wall height of 161. After more than 60 years of discussion and argument about utilizing the water resources of the snowy mountains, the commonwealth parliament passed the snowy mountains hydroelectric power act in 1949. A variety of dam and spillway types were used in the construction. Snowy hydro limited is an electricity generation and retailing company in australia that owns, manages, and maintains the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme which consists of nine hydroelectric power stations and sixteen large dams connected by 145 kilometres 90 mi of tunnels and 80 kilometres 50 mi of aqueducts located mainly in the kosciuszko national park. The snowy mountains scheme is monumental in world terms. Snowy mountains hydro electric authority, cooma, new south wales. Times of drought in inland new south wales brought forth calls for the westward diversion of the rivers flowing off the snowy mountains. Intensive soil conservation methods were undertaken wherever the natural vegetation and soil. Prime minister ben chifley and governor general mckell launched the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme with a blast.
It diverts the reliable waters of the southflowing snowy river, westwards. The companys portfolio includes snowy mountains scheme hydro generation assets, victorian based gasred generation and the electricity retailer, red energy. Snowy hydro the jindabyne story c1965 clip 1 on aso. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The snowy mountains scheme is officially recognised as one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the modern world. Snowy mountains hydro electric authority 1972 language. Returning environmental flows to the snowy river an overview of water recovery, management and delivery of increased flows introduction the snowy river is an iconic river in south eastern australia. The snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme by patrick. Its been announced that the snowy mountains hydro scheme has made the national heritage list. This scheme was set up to hold water that came from the alps snow melting this water was then diverted through massive tunnels through the great dividing range this gave water to remote areas the motion of the water moving through the tunnels also created energy which got made. The units have been designed by teachers in the science department at tumut high school and all the activities have been successfully used in the classroom.
The water will be transported via a buried pipe to a powerhouse before being returned to the river. Snowy the making of modern australia is also available on kindle. Expert panel environmental flow assessment of various rivers affected by the snowy mountains scheme pdf. In july 1949, the federal government announced plans for the snowy mountains hydro electric scheme, which was a very large engineering project in the great dividing range of new south wales. Better documented and accessible monitoring and evaluation of schemes would. Engineering features of the snowy mountains scheme snowy. Khancoban dam is the longest dam in the scheme with a crest length of 1,067 metres 3,501 ft. The snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme hereafter referred to as the scheme was and remains one of the largest engineering and construction projects in the world. Snowy mountains scheme the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme is one of the most complex integrated water and hydroelectric power schemes in the world. The snowy mountains scheme is an integrated water and hydroelectric power utility located in australias southern alps which is operated and maintained by snowy hydro. Discuss the btn snowy mountains scheme story as a class. It rises near mount kosciuszko and, up until the construction of the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme, it was the largest snowmelt river. The saga of the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme. If it was, how were former enemies able to work together apparently so successfully in a new community.
The snowy mountains hydro electric scheme changed forever the landscape of the mountains around kiandra. The snowy, a history by siobhan mchugh 9781742236223. This is what the snowy river looks like downstream of guthega dam. Most of the water to power the scheme will be taken from the allt coire chaorach, with smaller amounts being taken from the allt coire chlach river.
Other articles where snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme is discussed. Notes the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme was established by the federal and state governments to divert water from the eastflowing snowy river to the murrumbidgee river which flows west from the great divide. Design and construction of mini hydropower plant with. Decade summary history and politics society and culture science and technology flight. It took 25 years to build and is one of the largest and most complex integrated water and hydroelectric power schemes in operation in the world. Although i have a vague memory of learning about this in school, the magnitude of the project is clear as you walk around the centre. Estimation of the water flow rate the water flow rate q can be estimated in different ways but a more suitable method could be measuring. Construction started on the scheme on 17 october 1949, when the governorgeneral, sir william mckell. The snowy a history tells the extraordinary story of the mostly migrant workforce who built one of the worlds engineering marvels. Much of the major construction was underground, with some of the worlds largest and longest water diversion tunnels and. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational. The snowy hydro scheme is without doubt the single greatest renewable energy project ever built in australia with a mammoth 3,950 mw of capacity, which is available ondemand unlike the childish nonsense of wind power. The scheme was a partnership between new south wales, victoria and the commonwealth governments. The snowy mountains hydro electric scheme hereafter referred to as the scheme was and remains one of the largest engineering and construction projects in the world.
Oct 25, 2016 its been announced that the snowy mountains hydro scheme has made the national heritage list. Pdf hydropower scheme to strengthen ces of mongolia. It is the most complex, multipurpose, multireservoir hydro scheme in the world with 80 kilometres of aqueducts, 140 kilometres of tunnels, 16 large dams and. Snowy mountains scheme the snowy mountains hydro electric scheme is one of the most complex integrated water and hydro electric power schemes in the world. Its one of the most complex projects ever undertaken in australia. Snowy mountains hydro scheme institution of civil engineers. Precipitation in form of snow and rain falls in catchment area of scheme. Mark scheme results june 2017 pearson edexcel international gcse in history khi04hi0 paper 01. The project harnesses the snowy river with a series of dams.
It is the most complex, multipurpose, multireservoir hydro scheme in the world with 80 kilometres of aqueducts, 140 kilometres of tunnels, 16 large dams and seven power stations, two of which are underground. But the grattan institutes energy program director. The snowy mountains hydro electric scheme was inaugurated in 1949, although its origins date back to the late nineteenth century. The power of water hydro schemes since early this century, the federal and state governments recognised the potential of the alps to provide both water for irrigation and hydroelectricity. This classic, prizewinning account of the remarkable snowy scheme is available again for the 70th anniversary of this epic nationbuilding project. Built between 1949 and 1974, the project consists of 16 major dams, 7 power stations, 2 pumping stations and 225km of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts. Snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme irrigation project. Launch of the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme, 1949. They were part of a 7,000strong workforce building the biggest hydroelectric scheme the world had ever seen.
The schemes two major functions are the generation of electricity and the provision of water for irrigation. Snowy mountains hydroelectric authority 1972 language. The campaign, which represented the scheme as a symbol of. Snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme behind the news youtube. Snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme archive maas collection. If you book ahead you can also watch the 30 minute best of the. Official pdf, 91 pages world bank documents world bank group. It will not only deliver a more affordable and reliable energy system but will. The snowy mountains scheme or snowy scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in southeast australia. This shortage led to an intensive recruitment campaign overseas which, together with the. Habitat restoration at snowy adit, kosciuszko national park key words. Snowy hydroelectric scheme australian history mysteries.
Oct 24, 2016 its been announced that the snowy mountains hydro scheme has made the national heritage list. The snowy mountains plan is the greatest single project in our history. The snowy mountains hydroelectric authority had initiated a concerted public relations campaign in response to concern among some sectors of the media and the public about the huge cost of the scheme. National archives of australia 60 years of the snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme. Her book is based on about 90 oral histories with former snowy workers and residents, with original recordings. Wikipedia citation please see wikipedias template documentation for further citation fields that may be required.
A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme by patrick sheehan. The scheme also has enabled a major increase in the volume and value of irrigation in the murraydarling basin. Estimation of the water flow rate the water flow rate q can be estimated in different ways but a. Following our days in the high country, exploring this section of the river took us from the mountains to the fringes of the monaro high plains. Construction started on the scheme on 17 october 1949, when the governorgeneral, sir william mckell, prime minister ben. The snowy mountains hydro scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south east australia. Prime minister ben chifley and governor general mckell launched the snowy mountains hydro electric scheme with a blast. In 1997 a new company, snowy hydro trading pty ltd shtpl, was established by the new south wales government and the state electricity commission of victoria, as a joint venture to trade electricity generated by the snowy mountains scheme in the national electricity market. The scheme collects and stores the water that would normally flow east to the coast and diverts it. Built between 1949 and 1974, it consists of 16 large dams, 7 power stations, a pumping station, 145 km of tunnels and 80 km of aqueducts that diverted water from the snowy mountains for use in power. The discovery centre showcases the amazing history of the. The proposal is for a runofriver scheme, with no water storage.
In victoria, the headwaters of the murray are dammed by the hume and dartmouth reservoirs, constructed for both domestic and irrigation use. Snowy mountains hydroelectric power project, australia building. Dessie doyle and brian drummond lilliput press, 20 isbn 9781843512738. Study of the development of the major hydroelectric schemes undertaken by the north of scotland hydroelectric board by peter l. After more than 60 years of discussion and argument about utilizing the water resources of the snowy mountains, the commonwealth parliament passed the snowy mountains hydro electric power act in 1949. Snowy mountains scheme nsw environment, energy and science.
They were part of a 7,000strong workforce building the biggest hydro electric scheme the world had ever seen. The story of the schemes construction is a story of. The water from the reservoir is, as far as i could tell from the information signs and the shape of the landscape, pumped out through a level tunnel along the sides and tops of the hills, then released down long pipes to work the turbines at munyangguthega power. Brief history of hydropower development and sustainability considerations. Snowy hydro the jindabyne story c1965 clip 2 on aso. Emily ballous interesting novel aphelion picador 2007 draws with permission on stories and imagery from my book, the snowy. Engineering features of the snowy mountains scheme.
When the snowy mountains hydroelectric authority was established in 1949, there was a serious national shortage of skilled personnel, equipment and construction materials, as a legacy of world war 2. Building the snowy scheme a multicultural experience. The scheme diverted the headwaters of the snowy river through a series of tunnels and dams to generate electricity for nsw, victoria and the australian. The snowy mountains hydroelectric scheme is the most complex, multipurpose, multireservoir hydro scheme in the world with 80 kilometres of aqueducts, 140 kilometres of tunnels, 16 large dams and seven power stations, two of which are underground. The snowy mountains hydro discovery centre is located in cooma nsw. The snowy mountains scheme or snowy scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in. Focusing on some specific case studies, students investigate a continue reading. This contemporary facility showcases the amazing history of the snowy hydroelectric project which commenced in the 1950s and remains as australias greatest civil engineering project. Snowy mountains hydro electric authority 1993, 3rd ed. Sometimes known as the snowy, its australias largest engineering project.