Great Moss Swamp facts for kids
The Great Moss Swamp, also called the Loganburn Reservoir, is a special wetland area in Otago, New Zealand. It's found in a region called the Maniototo, not far from an old gold mining path known as the Old Dunstan Road. This spot is about 85 kilometres northwest of Dunedin city. It's considered a very important wetland for the region.
The swamp sits on top of the Rock and Pillar Range. This mountain range has a very flat top, like a table! Even though it's called a "swamp," it's actually more like a lake now. This is because a dam was built there. The dam helps to store water for two main reasons: to water farms (this is called irrigation) and to make electricity (this is called hydroelectricity). The water from the swamp flows into a stream called the Logan Burn, which then joins the Taieri River near Paerau.
What is the Great Moss Swamp?
The Great Moss Swamp is a unique place in New Zealand. It used to be a true swamp, full of wet ground and special plants. But now, it's been changed into a large reservoir. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake that holds water. This water is super important for the local area.
How the Loganburn Reservoir Was Built
The Loganburn Reservoir was completed in 1983. When it was first finished, it could hold a huge amount of water – about 85 million cubic metres! That's a lot of water.
In 2014, the dam was made even bigger. Workers added an 80-centimetre-high spillway. A spillway is like a channel that lets extra water flow out safely when the reservoir is too full. They also made the wall along the top of the dam taller. These changes allowed the reservoir to hold an extra 11.5 million cubic metres of water.
Why is the Reservoir Important?
The dam is located at the southern end of the Rock and Pillar Range, about 12 kilometres south of Paerau. It plays a big role in helping the local community.
- Water for Farms: The reservoir provides water for about 60 farmers. This water helps them irrigate their land, covering a huge area of 9,300 hectares. This means their crops and animals get enough water to grow, which is vital for food production.
- Making Electricity: When water is released from the dam for irrigation, it also helps to generate electricity. This is a clean way to make power using the force of moving water.
The Great Moss Swamp, now the Loganburn Reservoir, is a great example of how natural places can be managed to help people and the environment.
