Mulwala Canal facts for kids
The Mulwala Canal immediately upstream from its intake from Lake Mulwala in Mulwala
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Construction began | 23 March 1935 |
| Date completed | 1942 |
The Mulwala Canal is a really important waterway in New South Wales, Australia. It's actually the biggest irrigation canal in the whole Southern Hemisphere! This amazing canal helps move water from the Murray River to farms and towns in the southern Riverina area.
Mulwala Canal: Australia's Giant Waterway
The Mulwala Canal is a huge channel built to carry water. It starts at Lake Mulwala and flows for 156 kilometers. This canal takes water from the Murray River and moves it across the flat lands of the southern Riverina. It ends up connecting to the Edward River near Deniliquin.
How the Canal Helps Farmers and Towns
The Mulwala Canal was built between 1935 and 1942. Its main job is to provide water for farming. Every day, it can carry about 10,000 megalitres of water. A megalitre is a huge amount, like a million liters! Each year, it supplies over 1,000,000 megalitres to more than 700,000 hectares of farmland. This water helps crops grow in the Murray Irrigation Area.
Besides farms, the canal also gives water to several towns in the southern Riverina. These towns include Berrigan, Finley, Bunnaloo, and Wakool.
Making Clean Energy
The Mulwala Canal isn't just for water supply; it also helps make electricity! Near Berrigan, there's a power station called The Drop Hydro. It's operated by Pacific Hydro. This power station uses the moving water in the canal to create hydroelectric power.
It can generate 2.5 megawatts of electricity. This power station is special because it was the first one in Australia to make electricity directly from an irrigation canal. It's a great example of using water resources in a smart, clean way.
