Spring Creek Dam (New South Wales)

Spring Creek Dam
Spring Creek Reservoir at very low level, 2008.
Spring Creek Dam (New South Wales) is located in New South Wales
Spring Creek Dam (New South Wales)
Location of Spring Creek Dam in
New South Wales
CountryAustralia
LocationOrange, New South Wales
Coordinates33°19′54″S 149°07′04″E / 33.33167°S 149.11778°E / -33.33167; 149.11778
PurposeWater supply
StatusOperational
Construction beganDecember 1929 (1929-12)
Opening date1931 (1931)
Owner(s)Orange City Council
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsSpring Creek
Height17 metres (56 ft)
Length268 metres (879 ft)
Spillways1
Spillway capacity310 cubic metres per second (11,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesSpring Creek Reservoir
Total capacity4,680 megalitres (165×10^6 cu ft)
Catchment area63 square kilometres (24 sq mi)
Surface area11 hectares (27 acres)
Maximum length2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi)
Maximum width350 metres (1,150 ft)

Spring Creek Dam is a minor embankment dam across the Spring Creek upstream of Orange in the central western region of New South Wales, Australia. The impounded reservoir is called the Spring Creek Reservoir.

Location and features

Commenced in December 1929 and completed in 1931, the Spring Creek Dam is a minor dam on the Spring Creek, located approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of the city of Orange;[1] constructed by NSW Department of Public Works on behalf of the Orange City Council as the main water supply for Orange. Additional dams for water supply were completed in 1918 at Meadow Creek Dam and the Gosling Creek Dam in 1890. Since the construction of Suma Park Dam, completed in 1962, Spring Creek Dam has served as the secondary water supply for the city.[1]

The embankment dam wall is 17 metres (56 ft) high and is 268 metres (879 ft) long. At 100% capacity the dam wall holds back 4,680 megalitres (165×10^6 cu ft) of water. The surface area of Spring Creek Reservoir is 11 hectares (27 acres) and the catchment area is 63 square kilometres (24 sq mi). The spillway is capable of discharging 310 cubic metres per second (11,000 cu ft/s).[2][3]

Recently Orange City Council has strengthened the dam wall. Kinross Wolaroi School also uses the dam for the sport of rowing.

See also

  • A sign at the entrance to the Spring Creek Reservoir, off Lone Pine Avenue.
    A sign at the entrance to the Spring Creek Reservoir, off Lone Pine Avenue.

References

  1. ^ a b Orange City Library; Orange District Historical Society (20 October 2010). "Our most precious resource". Central Western Daily. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Spring Creek Dam". Orange water security. City of Orange. 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.