Abstract
THE great drawback to settlement in some parts of Australia is the frequent droughts that have to be dealt with. So far back as 1884 the New South Wales Government appointed a commission to consider the question of irrigation, and, as a result, a water conservation department was organised, and an experienced Indian irrigation engineer appointed to advise. As one result of this the construction of a dam across the Murrumbidgee River was decided on. This dam, known as the Burrinjack Dam, rivals in size and quantity of water impounded the famous Assouan Barrage across the Nile. The Murrumbidgee River for 200 miles above the dam runs its course principally amongst mountains, the higher peaks of which are covered with snow in winter. The catchment area at this point amounts to 5000 square miles, the rainfall varying from 20 to 70 inches a year. At the place where the dam has been constructed the whole of the river water passes through a narrow granite gorge, and consequently the minimum cost of construction, combined with the maximum stability, has been secured. For about 200 miles below the dam no irrigation works are needed, as the district through which the river flows is undulating and has a sufficient rainfall. Below this the river enters a flat country, with a diminished flow of water. Like some other rivers in Australia, the Murrumbidgee, instead of increasing in volume as it proceeds on its downward course to the ocean, actually diminishes, and becomes a small stream. This is due to the diversion of its water into shallow lagoons, where the evaporation caused by the fierce sun and percolation disposes of the greater part of the water. The dam is of concrete, 240 feet high and 784 feet long. It will back up the water in the main stream for 41 miles, and of two of its tributaries for 15 and 25 miles. Although the water supply is to be brought into operation at once, the dam has only been built up to no.feet; the remaining 130 feet, it is expected, will take two years more to complete. For carrying on the works and providing for the staff employed a temporary township has been created provided with complete sanitary arrangements and medical attendance. An electric installation has also been set up for working the cranes and other machinery. A light railway 28 miles long has been constructed connecting the temporary township with the main line of railway from Sydney to Melbourne. The estimated cost of this work is 758,000l.
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Water Supply in Australia . Nature 88, 228 (1911). https://doi.org/10.1038/088228b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/088228b0