Blue Rock Dam
The Blue Rock Dam is a minor rock-fill embankment dam with controlled chute spillway across the Tanjil River, located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Moe, in the Central Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia.[2] The dam is operated by Southern Rural Water.
| Blue Rock Dam | |
|---|---|
 Surrounds of plaques with intake tower at rear | |
  Location of the Blue Rock Dam in Victoria | |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Central Gippsland, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 38°4′46.75″S 146°13′39.11″E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1979[1] |
| Opening date | 1984 |
| Operator(s) | Southern Rural Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Tanjil River |
| Height | 72 metres (236 ft) |
| Length | 600 metres (2,000 ft) |
| Dam volume | 1.514 million m3 (53.5 million cu ft) |
| Spillways | 1 |
| Spillway type | Controlled chute |
| Spillway capacity | 1,200 cubic metres per second (42,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Blue Rock Lake |
| Total capacity | 208,000 ML (7.3 billion cu ft) |
| Catchment area | 360 square kilometres (140 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 873 hectares (2,160 acres) |
| Blue Rock Dam Power Station | |
| Operator(s) | Pacific Energy |
| Commission date | 1992 |
| Installed capacity | 2.6 megawatts (3,500 hp) |
| Annual generation | 9 gigawatt-hours (32 TJ) |
| Website Blue Rock Dam at Southern Rural Water | |
Features and location
The dam was built to provide cooling water for the thermal power stations of the Latrobe Valley and to augment domestic water supplies.[3]
The Blue Rock Lake has two recreation areas on its shore and small power boats are allowed to be used.[4][5]
In 1992 Pacific Energy installed a small 2.4-megawatt (3,200 hp) hydroelectric generator that is linked to the national grid.[6]
Jaidyn Leskie
Jaidyn Leskie was a one-year-old boy who disappeared from his babysitter's house in Moe on 15 June 1997. A large scale search for the boy in the hope of finding him still alive was unsuccessful. Jaidyn's body was found on 1 January 1998 at Blue Rock Dam, 18 km (11 mi) north of Moe.[7] His body had been preserved by the cold waters of the lake through winter. The clothing he was wearing was subject to a DNA test in an effort to solve the crime.[8] His murder remains unsolved.
Gallery
Road goes over wall
Plaque records design and construction details
Plaques detail unveiling ceremonies
References
- Victoria. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (1981), [Construction work at Blue Rock Dam on the Tanjil River], retrieved 8 March 2017
- Victoria. Ombudsman; Victoria. Parliament. Legislative Assembly (1985), Report of investigations relating to alleged inadequate compensation following compulsory acquisition of land for the Blue Rock Dam, Govt. Printer, retrieved 7 January 2019
- Water supply, Gippsland Water, Victorian Regional Water Corporation, ...We also take water from storages managed by Southern Rural Water (Blue Rock Dam...
- Blue Rock Dam - New Boating Regulations, 2015, In Depth Angler - Lure and Fly Fishing Australia
- Blue Rock Lake Tagged Bass Challenge, Blue Rock bass, Target One Million, Recreational fishing, Fisheries, Agriculture Victoria
- "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- Stuart Rintoul (5 October 2006). "Riddle of a Sad Little Death". The Australian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
- Stephen Cauchi (22 November 2003). "Leskie Bib Puts Science in the Dock". The Age. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
