Cardinia Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardinia Dam |
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The control tower and dam walls near the embankment
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 Location of the Cardinia Reservoir in Victoria
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | Greater Melbourne, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°58′17″S 145°25′8″E / 37.97139°S 145.41889°E |
| Purpose | Water supply |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | May 1970 |
| Opening date | 1973 |
| Construction cost | A$11.4 million |
| Owner(s) | Melbourne Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Cardinia Creek |
| Height (foundation) | 86 m (282 ft) |
| Length | 1,542 m (5,059 ft) |
| Dam volume | 5,150×103 m3 (182×106 cu ft) |
| Spillways | 1 |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 12 m3/s (420 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Cardinia Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 286,910 ML (6.311×1010 imp gal; 7.579×1010 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 2,800 ha (6,900 acres) |
| Surface area | 1,295 ha (3,200 acres) |
| Normal elevation | 494 m (1,621 ft) AHD |
| Power station | |
| Name | Cardinia Dam Power Station |
| Coordinates | 37°57′6″S 145°23′54″E / 37.95167°S 145.39833°E |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Energy |
| Annual generation | 3.5 MW (4,700 hp) |
| Website Cardinia Reservoir at Melbourne Water |
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Cardinia Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in Australia. It is a very important water supply for the city of Melbourne and its surrounding areas in Victoria. This huge water storage can hold about 287,000 megalitres (that's 287 billion litres!) of water. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, near Emerald, Clematis, and Dewhurst. The construction of the dam, which created this reservoir, began in May 1970 and was finished in 1973. It cost more than $11.4 million to build. The dam itself is known as the Cardinia Dam.
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Building the Cardinia Dam: A Look Back
Why Melbourne Needed More Water
In the 1960s, Melbourne was growing fast. This meant the city needed more and more water. The existing water supplies were struggling to keep up with everyone's needs. So, engineers started looking for new places to store water.
Choosing the Perfect Spot
They found a great spot where Cardinia Creek flowed from the Dandenong Ranges. This area had some well-defined hills that were perfect for building a new reservoir. In 1966, the government of Victoria decided to go ahead with plans for Cardinia and Thomson Reservoirs.
Construction Begins
Building the Cardinia Dam was a big project. It involved creating a massive wall from rolled earth and rock. This type of dam is called an embankment dam. There were also smaller walls, called saddle dams, built in nearby hills to help hold the water.
The main dam wall is about 86 metres high and 1,542 metres long. The two saddle dams are 10 metres high and 323 metres long, and 16 metres high and 1,219 metres long. All these structures work together to hold back the huge amount of water in the reservoir.
Filling the Reservoir
Once the dam was completed in 1973, it took another four years for the reservoir to fill up completely. A lot of water was transferred from another reservoir, Silvan Reservoir, to help fill it. The surface area of Cardinia Reservoir is about 1,295 hectares, and the area that collects rainwater (the catchment area) is 2,800 hectares.
Making it Fun for Everyone
After the dam was built, about $1 million was spent to make the area around the reservoir a great place for people to visit. They added picnic spots, playgrounds, car parks, and walking tracks. It became a popular spot for families and nature lovers.
How Cardinia Reservoir Works Today
Water Flow and Power Generation
Cardinia Reservoir gets its water through a pipeline that comes from Silvan Reservoir. As water flows from Silvan to Cardinia, it passes through a hydroelectric power station. This station uses the moving water to generate about 3.5 megawatts of electricity.
Supplying Water to Homes
The water stored in Cardinia Reservoir is then sent to homes and businesses in Melbourne's southern and south-eastern suburbs. It also supplies water to the Mornington Peninsula, which is a popular coastal area.
Who Manages the Dam?
The Cardinia Reservoir is managed by Melbourne Water. They are responsible for making sure the dam and reservoir operate safely and continue to provide clean water to the community.
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