Nillahcootie Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nillahcootie Dam |
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 Location of the Nillahcootie Dam in Victoria
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | Victorian Alps, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 36°52′41″S 146°00′10″E / 36.87806°S 146.00278°E |
| Purpose | |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1967 |
| Operator(s) | Goulburn–Murray Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Broken River |
| Height | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Length | 791 m (2,595 ft) |
| Spillway type | Gothic arch-shaped crest |
| Spillway capacity | 73 m3/s (2,600 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Nillahcootie |
| Total capacity | 40,400 ML (8,900×106 imp gal; 10,700×106 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 439 km2 (169 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 530 ha (1,300 acres) |
| Website at Goulburn–Murray Water |
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The Nillahcootie Dam is a large dam in Victoria, Australia. It is built across the Broken River. This dam is special because it helps supply water for drinking and for irrigation (watering crops). The big lake formed by the dam is called Lake Nillahcootie.
The dam is located near the town of Mansfield. This area is part of the Victorian Alps, which is a mountain region.
Building the Dam
The Nillahcootie Dam was finished in 1967. It was built by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission of Victoria. The dam wall is made from an earth core with rock piled around it. This makes it very strong.
The wall is about 34 meters (112 feet) high. It stretches for about 791 meters (2,595 feet) long. The dam can hold a lot of water, about 40,400 megalitres. That's like 40.4 billion liters of water!
How the Dam Works
When the lake gets too full, extra water flows over a special part of the dam called a spillway. The Nillahcootie Dam has a unique spillway that looks like a Gothic arch. This design helps the water flow smoothly.
There is also a second spillway that is only used during very big floods. It works using a "fuse plug" idea. This means a part of the earth wall in this spillway is designed to wash away if the water level gets too high. This helps release a lot of water quickly to prevent the main dam from overflowing.
Fun at Lake Nillahcootie
Lake Nillahcootie is a popular spot for fun activities, especially in summer. Many people enjoy water-skiing on the lake. It's a great place to visit if you like water sports.
The name "Nillahcootie" is thought to come from an Indian word meaning "Blue House."
