# Arthurs Lake Dam

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Dam, reservoir, and power station in Tasmania, Australia

For other uses, see [Lake Arthur](/source/Lake_Arthur_(disambiguation)) and [Arthur Lake](/source/Arthur_Lake_(disambiguation)).

Dam in Central Highlands Tasmania

Arthurs Lake Dam Interactive map of Arthurs Lake Dam Country Australia Location Central Highlands Tasmania Coordinates 42°01′54″S 146°55′16″E / 42.0315552°S 146.921143°E / -42.0315552; 146.921143 Purpose Power Status Operational Opening date 1965 Owner Hydro Tasmania Dam and spillways Type of dam Rock-fill dam Impounds Lake River Height 17 m (56 ft) Length 482 m (1,581 ft) Dam volume 113×10^3 m3 (4.0×10^6 cu ft) Spillways 1 Spillway type Controlled and uncontrolled Spillway capacity 43 m3/s (1,500 cu ft/s) Reservoir Creates Arthurs Lake Total capacity 511,390 ML (414,590 acre⋅ft) Catchment area 259 km2 (100 sq mi) Surface area 645.9 ha (1,596 acres) Normal elevation 947 m (3,107 ft) AHD Tods Corner Power Station Coordinates 41°57′00″S 146°46′48″E / 41.95000°S 146.78000°E / -41.95000; 146.78000 Operator Hydro Tasmania Commission date 1 January 1966 (1966-01-01) Type Pumped-storage Hydraulic head 41 m (135 ft) Turbines 1 x 1.7 MW (2,300 hp) (Maier Francis-type) Installed capacity 1.7 MW (2,300 hp) Annual generation 8 GWh (29 TJ) Website hydro.com.au [1]

The **Arthurs Lake Dam** is a rock-filled [embankment dam](/source/Embankment_dam) across the Lake River, located between the small settlements of [Wilburville](/source/Wilburville) and [Morass Bay](/source/Morass_Bay), in the [Central Highlands](/source/Central_Highlands_(Tasmania)) region of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), Australia. Completed in 1965, the resultant [reservoir](/source/Reservoir), [Arthurs Lake](/source/Arthurs_Lake_(Tasmania)),[a] was established for the purpose of generating [hydro-electric power](/source/Hydro-electricity) via the **Tods Corner Power Station**, the only [pumped-storage](/source/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity)[2][3] [hydroelectric](/source/Hydroelectric) [power stations](/source/Power_station) located in Tasmania. The dam and power station are part of the [Great Lake](/source/Great_Lake_(Tasmania)) and [South Esk](/source/South_Esk_River) catchment.

The dam, reservoir and power station are owned and operated by [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania).

## Dam and reservoir overview

### Dam

The [rock-filled dam](/source/Rock-filled_dam) wall is 17 metres (56 ft) high and 482 metres (1,581 ft) long. When full, Lake Burbury has capacity of 511,390 [megalitres](/source/Megalitre) (414,590 [acre⋅ft](/source/Acre-foot)) and covers 6,459 hectares (15,960 acres), drawn from a [catchment area](/source/Drainage_basin) of 259 square kilometres (100 sq mi). The single [controlled and uncontrolled spillway](/source/Spillway#Types) is capable of discharging 43 cubic metres per second (1,500 cu ft/s).[1]

### Reservoir

The lake in 2017

Arthurs Lake is located in the Central Highlands, north of [Lyell Highway](/source/Lyell_Highway), east of [Great Lake](/source/Great_Lake_(Tasmania)).[4] Europeans discovered the lake in 1825. [John Helder Wedge](/source/John_Helder_Wedge), an explorer and surveyor in Colonial [Van Dieman's Land](/source/Van_Dieman's_Land), was sent to find the source of the Lake River, which he found at Arthurs Lake.[5] Arthurs Lake was created in the 1920s by flooding the upper Lake River, two existing [natural lakes](/source/Natural_lake), Blue Lake and Sand Lake, and an area of [marshs](/source/Marsh).[6] The lake was named in honour of [General Sir Arthur Cotton](/source/Arthur_Cotton),[7] a British army officer and [irrigation](/source/Irrigation) engineer.

Water is pumped from Arthurs Lake to Great Lake, which feeds the [Poatina Power Station](/source/Poatina_Power_Station). Some of the pumping energy is recovered by the Tods Corner Power Station.[1] In 2017, Irrigation Tasmania installed a floating safety barrier to prevent fishing boats accessing the hydro intake pipe in this very popular fishing lake.[8][9][7][10]

The reservoir is stocked with [brown trout](/source/Brown_trout) and is a popular [fly fishing](/source/Fly_fishing) location for anglers visiting Tasmania.[11][12]

## Hydroelectric power station

Preventing fishing boat access to the Hydro intake pipe area

Located in the Great Lake and South Esk catchment area, the Tods Corner Power Station was developed to recover the available energy from the water out of the Arthurs Lake Pumping Station. In order to increase the size of the reservoir at the Great Lake, and increase the water available to the [Waddamana Power Stations](/source/Waddamana_Power_Stations),[b] Arthurs Lake was created in the 1920s with the damming of several creeks and water was pumped from it into the Great Lake as required by the station. With the construction of the much larger Poatina Power Station in 1966 to replace Waddamana, Tods Corner was added to recover some of the energy used by the pump systems. The power station is located on the south-eastern shore of Great Lake, below the dam wall, and is supplied with water via a 105-metre-long (344 ft) [penstock](/source/Penstock) connected to an open flume which carries the discharge from Arthurs Lake Pumping Station.[13]

Commissioned in 1966 by the [Hydro Electric Corporation](/source/Hydro_Tasmania), the station has a single Maier [Francis-type](/source/Francis_turbine) [turbine](/source/Water_turbine) with capacity of 1.7 megawatts (2,300 hp) coupled to a [Siemens](/source/Siemens) induction generator.[13] The station output, estimated at 8 [gigawatt-hours](/source/Kilowatt-hour) (29 [TJ](/source/Terajoule)) annually,[1] is fed to [TasNetworks](/source/TasNetworks)' transmission grid at its output voltage of 6.6 k[V](/source/Voltage) via a circuit breaker located in the exterior switchyard.[13][14]

## See also

- [Renewable energy portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Renewable_energy)
- [Australia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Australia)
- [Water portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Water)

- [List of power stations in Tasmania](/source/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasmania)

- [List of reservoirs and dams in Tasmania](/source/List_of_reservoirs_and_dams_in_Australia#Tasmania)

- [List of lakes in Tasmania](/source/List_of_lakes_of_Australia#Tasmania)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Sometimes spelled as *Arthur's Lake*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Waddamana A was decommissioned in 1965; and Waddamana B was decommissioned in 1995.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ANCOLD_1-3) ["Register of Large Dams Australia-2015"](https://ancold.org.au/information-resources/dams-information/) ([Excel](/source/Microsoft_Excel). Requires download. Row 11). *[ANCOLD](/source/ANCOLD)*. January 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Tods Corner Power Station"](http://www.energystorageexchange.org/projects/884.pdf) (PDF). *DOE Energy Storage Database*. Sandia National Laboratories. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Knight, Anne-Louise (August 2024). ["Filling the voids: Pumped hydro proposals could see taxpayers financing mine rehabilitation"](https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/Filling%20the%20voids_Aug24_2.pdf) (PDF). Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. p. 32. Retrieved 29 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Felton, Heather (2008), *Ticklebelly tales and other stories from the people of the Hydro*, [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania), p. 32, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-646-47724-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-646-47724-4)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** McCormack, Dane (n.d.). ["History of the Central Highlands of Tasmania"](https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/history-of-the-central-highlands-of-tasmania/7/). Retrieved 30 April 2026 – via bizcatalyst360.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Arthur's Lakes Dam"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12382432). *[The Mercury](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Hobart. 20 November 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 30 April 2026 – via Trove. [National Library of Australia](/source/National_Library_of_Australia).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FH_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FH_8-1) ["Arthurs Lake Hydro"](https://www.fultonhogan.com/keyprojects/arthurs-lake-hydro/). *Fulton Hogan*. 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["ANGLING"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24248755). *[The Mercury](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Hobart, Tas. 29 November 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 10 July 2012 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["ANGLERS AT ARTHURS LAKE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26171155). *[The Mercury](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Hobart, Tas. 19 February 1946. p. 15. Retrieved 10 July 2012 – via Trove. [National Library of Australia](/source/National_Library_of_Australia).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ifsbrochure_11-0)** ["Arthurs Lake Anglers Access"](https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/media/publications/Arthur_River_A4_Fact_Sheet.pdf) (PDF). Inland Fisheries Services. Retrieved 1 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Fly Fishing at Arthurs Lake in Tasmania"](https://www.trouttalestasmania.com.au/locations/fly-fishing-at-arthurs-lake-in-tasmania). *Trout Tales Tasmania*. n.d. Retrieved 26 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Arthurs Lake"](https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/waters-a-z/arthurs-lake/). *Inland Fisheries Service*. [Tasmanian Government](/source/Tasmanian_Government). n.d. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fact_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fact_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fact_15-2) ["Tods Corner Power Station"](https://bravenewclimate.com/files/system/files/documents/ps_factsheets/todscorner_power_station-fact-sheets.pdf) (PDF). *Greak (sic) Lake - South Esk Catchment*. [Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania). n.d. Retrieved 30 April 2026 – via bravenewclimate.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The Hydro after 100 Years"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220821083524/https://engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/eha-magazine-v1-6.pdf) (PDF). *[EHA Magazine](/source/EHA_Magazine)*. March 2015. p. 19.

## External links

- ["Hydro Tasmania submission: Appendix 1: Great Lake - South Esk power scheme"](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/78802/9.-Hydro-Tasmania.pdf) (includes schematic / diagram of the scheme). *Joint Select Committee on Energy Matters in Tasmania*. February 2024. p. 20. Retrieved 29 April 2026 – via [Tasmanian Parliament](/source/Tasmanian_Parliament).

- ["Annual Report 2015"](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/house-of-assembly/tabled-papers/2015/HATP21_29_10_2015.pdf) (includes schematic / diagram of hydro facilities in Tasmania). *[Hydro Tasmania](/source/Hydro_Tasmania)*. 29 October 2015. p. 10. Retrieved 29 April 2026 – via [Tasmanian Parliament](/source/Tasmanian_Parliament).

- Holden, Heath (4 May 2016). [*Snow Fall In Great Lake Area Brings Much Needed Water To Tasmania's Dams*](https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/tods-corner-power-station-after-several-days-of-rain-and-news-photo/528118532) (Image: 3000x2000 px; 300 dpi; 4 MB). *[Getty Images](/source/Getty_Images)*. Retrieved 30 April 2026.

v t e Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia Settlements Bronte Park Derwent Bridge Gretna Liawenee Miena Tarraleah Governance Lyons (federal) Lyons (state) Western Tiers (state) Central Highlands Council Meander Valley Council Mountains Artillery Knob King Davids Mount Olympus Du Cane Range The Acropolis Castle Crag Geryon Gould Ossa Thetis Cradle Cirque - Bluff Cirque Barn Bluff Cradle Smithies Cathedral Cathedral Great Western Tiers Ironstone Mother Cummings Quamby Bluff Pelion Range Pelion East Pelion West National parks Other conservation areas Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Mole Creek Karst Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Walls of Jerusalem Central Plateau Conservation Area Interlaken Lakeside Reserve Rivers Derwent Lake Nive Meander Lakes Arthurs Bronte Great Mackenzie St Clair Dams Arthurs Lake Catagunya Clark Cluny Lake Binney Liapootah Mackenzie Meadowbank Meander Miena Pine Tier Miena Repulse Wayatinah Power stations Butlers Gorge Catagunya Cluny Fisher Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Nieterana Poatina Repulse Tarraleah Tods Corner Tungatinah Wayatinah Decommissioned Waddamana Transport Lake Highway Lyell Highway Marlborough Highway Landmarks El Grande Horseshoe Falls Lady Barron Falls Overland Track Pelion Gap Russell Falls Waterfall Valley Hut other Central Highlands (bioregion) 2016 Tasmanian bushfires

v t e Dams and reservoirs in Tasmania, Australia Central Highlands Arthurs Lake Catagunya Clark Cluny Lake Binney Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Miena Pine Tier Repulse Wayatinah King Island Upper Grassy North East Briseis Cascade Clarence Curries River Duck Reach Weir Frome Monarch Mount Paris North West Guide River Henty Pet River White Spur Northern Augusta Cethana Devils Gate Ford Mackenzie Meander Paloona Parangana Rowallan Taylor No. 3 Trevally Wilmot South Craigbourne Flagstaff Gully Hall No. 2 Knights Creek Limekiln Gully Lower Reservoir Ridgeway Rileys Creek Risdon Brook Stanton South West Edgar Gordon Laughing Jack Scotts Peak Serpentine Western Anthony and levee Bastyan and levee Crotty Darwin Mackintosh Tullabardine Margaret Murchison Newton Reece Decommissioned Tolosa Park Category | List

v t e Energy in Tasmania Hydroelectric Derwent Butlers Gorge Catagunya Cluny Lake Echo Liapootah Meadowbank Nieterana Repulse Tarraleah Tungatinah Wayatinah Gordon-Pedder Gordon Franklin Dam controversy Mersey-Forth Cethana Devils Gate Fisher Lemonthyme Paloona Parangana Rowallan Wilmot West Coast King John Butters Lake Margaret Pieman / Anthony Bastyan Mackintosh Reece Tribute Yingina / Great Lake Poatina Tods Corner Trevallyn Others Huntsman Decommissioned Duck Reach Moorina Waddamana Waddamana B Wind farms Granville Harbour Musselroe Woolnorth Cattle Hill Huxley Hill (King Island) Natural gas Tamar Valley Decommissioned Bell Bay Organisations Alinta Aurora Powerco Hydro Tasmania Roaring 40s TasNetworks Former Transend Networks Interconnectors Basslink Planned Marinus Link Other Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator 2016 Tasmanian energy crisis List of power stations in Tasmania

v t e Lakes and other bodies of water in Tasmania, Australia Coastal lagoons and lakes Bronte Dulverton Jocks Orielton Little Waterhouse Freshwater Beatrice Dora Flannigan Meston St Clair Flooded Arthurs Brady Chain Binney Bradys Bronte Dee Echo Pine Tier Tungatinah Great King William Pedder Edgar Glacial Dove Selina Westwood Salt Fidler (Meromictic) Man-made reservoirs Barrington Burbury Catagunya Cethana Craigbourne Gairdner Gordon Henty Huntsman Liapootah Mackenzie Mackintosh Margaret Meadowbank Murchison Paloona Parangana Pieman Plimsoll Repulse Rowallan Rosebery Trevallyn Wayatinah Lakes portal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arthurs Lake Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthurs_Lake_Dam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthurs_Lake_Dam?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.