Sugarloaf Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugarloaf Reservoir |
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| Location | Christmas Hills, Victoria (near Yarra Glen) |
| Opening date | 1981 |
| Operator(s) | Melbourne Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height | 89 m |
| Length | 1,05 km |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 96,000 megalitres |
| Catchment area | 915 ha |
| Surface area | 440 ha |
The Sugarloaf Reservoir is a large water storage area. It is located at Christmas Hills. This is about 35 km north-east of Melbourne's city centre. It helps supply water to Melbourne.
Contents
How Sugarloaf Reservoir Was Built
The Sugarloaf Reservoir was finished in 1981. It can hold a huge amount of water. Its total capacity is 96 gigalitres. A gigalitre is one billion litres!
The reservoir has a big pumping station. It also has a water treatment plant. These parts help clean and move the water.
Water Levels Over Time
The amount of water in the reservoir changes. In 2006, it was completely full. But by May 2009, it was almost empty. It only had about 10% of its water. Later that year, it filled up to about 80%.
In April 2016, the reservoir was 62.5% full. These changes show how important rain is. They also show how much water Melbourne uses.
Where Does the Water Come From?
Sugarloaf Reservoir gets water from different places. It pumps water from the Yarra River. This happens at a place called Yering Gorge. It also gets water from the Maroondah Reservoir. This water travels through a special channel.
The reservoir is very important in summer. It helps meet the high demand for water. This is especially true for the northern parts of Melbourne.
In 2010, a new pipeline was finished. It is called the North South Pipeline. This pipeline connects the Goulburn River to the reservoir. Water from the Goulburn River is only used when needed. This happens if Melbourne's water storages are very low. This means less than 30% full in November.
The Melbourne Water company runs the Sugarloaf Reservoir.
Fun Things to Do at Sugarloaf Reservoir
Sugarloaf Reservoir is not just for water storage. It also has fun activities. People can enjoy sailing and fishing there.
Sailing at Sugarloaf
The Sugarloaf Sailing Club is active all year. You can find the club on Ridge Road. They hold over 40 races each year. These races are part of different series. They have "Winter," "Spring," "Summer," and "Autumn" races.
Many people love to race boats at Sugarloaf. They are on the lake no matter the weather. New members can use the club's boats for free. The club also offers "Sailability." This is sailing for everyone. It includes young people, older people, and those with disabilities. They use special boats that are safe and fun.
Fishing at Sugarloaf
Fishing is very popular at Sugarloaf Reservoir. You can catch different types of fish here. These include rainbow trout, brown trout, and redfin. You might also catch roach and European carp. Fishing is allowed all year round.
There are rules for fishing here. You cannot use natural bait. You also cannot use "berley." Berley is food thrown into the water to attract fish. Signs around the reservoir explain these rules. This is because the reservoir is a source of drinking water. Keeping it clean is very important.
