Upper Yarra Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Yarra Reservoir |
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 Upper Yarra Reservoir
Location in Victoria
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| Location | Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°41′S 145°55′E / 37.683°S 145.917°E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Catchment area | 33,670 ha (83,200 acres) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 750 ha (1,900 acres) |
| Average depth | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Max. depth | 77 m (253 ft) |
| Water volume | 200,000 megalitres (160,000 acre⋅ft) |
The Upper Yarra Reservoir is a large, human-made lake located east of Melbourne, in Victoria. It's a very important source of drinking water. Water from this reservoir helps supply towns in the upper Yarra Valley. It also sends water to the Silvan Reservoir, which then provides water to most parts of Melbourne.
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About the Upper Yarra Reservoir
The Upper Yarra Reservoir is a key part of Melbourne's water supply system. It holds a huge amount of water, about 200,000 megalitres (7,100×106 cu ft). This reservoir was originally built to help prevent floods downstream in the Yarra River. It also collects water from its own catchment area, which is about 33,670 hectares.
Building the Reservoir
Plans to build the Upper Yarra Reservoir were approved in the early 1940s. However, because of World War II, construction couldn't start right away. Work finally began in 1948. When the reservoir was finished in 1957, it made a big difference. It tripled the total amount of water Melbourne's system could store, reaching almost 300,000 megalitres.
How the Reservoir Works
The Upper Yarra Reservoir collects rainwater from its surrounding forested areas. It also receives water transferred from the Thomson River Dam. This helps keep the reservoir full. The water is then sent to other reservoirs or directly to towns.
Water Levels and Drought
Like all reservoirs, the Upper Yarra Reservoir's water levels can change. For example, in January 2007, a serious drought hit south-eastern Australia. This caused the reservoir's water levels to drop significantly. On January 5, 2007, it was only about half full. By July 22, 2013, it was at 95,568 megalitres, which was about 47.6% of its full capacity. These changes show how important it is to manage water carefully, especially during dry periods.
