# Clyde Dam

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clyde_Dam
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Clyde_Dam.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Dam
> Source revision: 1320527984
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Dam in Otago, New Zealand

Clyde Dam Clyde Dam from the east, looking west Interactive map of Clyde Dam Location Clyde, Otago, New Zealand Coordinates 45°10′46″S 169°18′25″E / 45.179314°S 169.306955°E / -45.179314; 169.306955 Dam and spillways Type of dam Concrete gravity dam Impounds Clutha River Height 100 m (330 ft) Length 490 m (1,610 ft) Width (crest) 10 m (33 ft) Width (base) 70 m (230 ft) Reservoir Creates Lake Dunstan Surface area 26 km2 (10 sq mi) Power Station Operator Contact Energy Commission date 1992 Turbines 4× 108 MW (145,000 hp) Francis turbines Installed capacity 464 MW[1] Annual generation 2,100 GWh

The **Clyde Dam**, New Zealand's second-largest [hydroelectric dam](/source/Hydroelectric_dam),[Note 1] is built on the [Clutha River / Mata-Au](/source/Clutha_River_%2F_Mata-Au) near the town of [Clyde](/source/Clyde%2C_New_Zealand). It is owned and operated by [Contact Energy](/source/Contact_Energy).

## History

Clyde Dam under construction circa 1986

There was considerable controversy when the dam was planned because it would flood many houses and orchards upstream at [Cromwell](/source/Cromwell%2C_New_Zealand),[2] as well as the scenic [Cromwell Gorge](/source/Cromwell_Gorge), which was a highlight of the then young but growing New Zealand [tourism](/source/Tourism) industry. Construction also required replacement of a stretch of highway[3] and the closure of the [Otago Central Railway](/source/Otago_Central_Railway) beyond Clyde, though materials for the dam would provide significant traffic for the rest of the line which was experiencing a drop in freight tonnage. To mitigate these problems, the [Kirk Labour](/source/Third_Labour_Government_of_New_Zealand) government decided a low dam should be built at Clyde. This decision was overturned by the following [National government](/source/Third_National_Government_of_New_Zealand), who preferred a high dam.[4]

There was also debate about whether the dam was needed. National's support for a controversial aluminium smelter at [Aramoana](/source/Aramoana), another of [Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand) Sir [Robert Muldoon](/source/Robert_Muldoon)'s [Think Big](/source/Think_Big) projects of the late 1970s and early 1980s, was one justification propounded for the dam.[4] An initial grant of water rights for the dam was overturned by the High Court following an appeal by landowners. National overturned this decision, after bargaining for the support of [Social Credit](/source/Social_Credit_Party_(New_Zealand)) (who had initially opposed a high dam), in the Clutha Development (Clyde Dam) Empowering Act 1982.[2][4] The Act was later repealed by the following National government on 1 October 1991, when it was superseded by the [Resource Management Act 1991](/source/Resource_Management_Act_1991).[5]

Expansion joint

The dam was constructed between 1982 and 1993. Filling it was done in four controlled stages beginning in April 1992, and completed the following year, creating [Lake Dunstan](/source/Lake_Dunstan).[2] The power station has a capacity of four 120 [MVA](/source/Volt-ampere) (116 [MW](/source/Megawatts)) [Francis turbines](/source/Francis_turbine) (for a total of 464 MW), but was only allowed to run 432 MW due to resource consent conditions. The dam was built with two additional penstocks, allowing additional turbines to be installed in future.[6] The resource consent was changed in 2005 to allow the full 464 MW to be produced.

During construction, the adjacent rock was discovered to be [microfractured](/source/Fracture_(geology)), because of an [earthquake](/source/Earthquake) [fault](/source/Fault_(geology)) running underneath the dam site. The dam was redesigned, losing a sluice channel and cutting its generation capacity from 612 MW to 464 MW. A slip joint was built into the dam to accommodate 1–2 metres of potential ground movement,[7][8] and a large amount of slurry [cement](/source/Cement) was pumped into the rock to stop water leaks. This additional work was one reason for a major project cost overrun, which made the dam the most expensive in New Zealand. The other areas of overrun were due to stabilisation of landslides in the Cromwell Gorge.[9][10] There are over 18 km of tunnels throughout the gorge for draining purposes. Because of all this extra work it overran the budget by nearly an extra 50% and delayed the filling of Lake Dunstan by a few years.

Maintenance workers accidentally activated fire alarms in the dam on 15 December 2008. The alarms triggered the release of a large bank of CO2 cylinders at the generators, flooding the equipment with the gas. Extractor fans to clear the CO2 then activated, and firefighters with breathing apparatus and gas detectors checked through the dam to ensure it had cleared.[11]

## Gallery

## Trivia

The Clyde Dam, while still under construction, was used for on-location filming in the 1985 movie *[Shaker Run](/source/Shaker_Run)*.[12]

## See also

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

- [Hydroelectric power in New Zealand](/source/Hydroelectric_power_in_New_Zealand)

- [List of power stations in New Zealand](/source/List_of_power_stations_in_New_Zealand)

- [Electricity sector in New Zealand](/source/Electricity_sector_in_New_Zealand)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [List of power stations in New Zealand](/source/List_of_power_stations_in_New_Zealand)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Contact_1-0)** [Hydroelectricity: turning water into power](http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/pdf/environmental/Hydro_brochure.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100524013207/http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/pdf/environmental/Hydro_brochure.pdf) 2010-05-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Contact Energy.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ODT_Reflections_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ODT_Reflections_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ODT_Reflections_3-2) Gilchrist, Shane (31 January 2009). ["Reflections on Lake Dunstan"](https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/41410/reflections-lake-dunstan). [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). Retrieved 2009-03-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dai Redshaw (1997). [Sustainable Energy](http://nzsm.webcentre.co.nz/article963.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081016065843/http://nzsm.webcentre.co.nz/article963.htm) 2008-10-16 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *New Zealand Science Monthly*, March 1997.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kellow_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kellow_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kellow_5-2) Aynsley John Kellow (1996). *Transforming power: the politics of electricity planning*. Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-47122-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-47122-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Resource Management Act 1991 No 69 - New Zealand Legislation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120404161701/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1991/0069/latest/contents). Archived from [the original](http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1991/0069/latest/contents) on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Clyde Dam factsheet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180127025226/http://cigreauckland2017.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Clyde-Dam-Fact-Sheet.pdf) (PDF). Contact Energy. Archived from [the original](http://cigreauckland2017.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Clyde-Dam-Fact-Sheet.pdf) (PDF) on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Fault Provisioned Design Examples](http://shake.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/home-new/projects/2007/pdf/Ch07-provisioned-designs.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080222/http://shake.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/home-new/projects/2007/pdf/Ch07-provisioned-designs.pdf) 2011-07-22 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Chapter 7 in *[Key Points for Rational Design for Civil-Infrastructures near Seismic Faults Reflecting Soil-Structure Interaction Features](http://shake.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/home-new/projects/2007/contents.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080359/http://shake.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/home-new/projects/2007/contents.html) 2011-07-22 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)*, Japan Society for Promoting Science, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Eileen McSaveney. [Earthquakes - Building for earthquake resistance](https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/earthquakes/4) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110310115749/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/earthquakes/4) 2011-03-10 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand*. Updated 2 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Michael J. Crozier. [Landslides - People and landslides](https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/landslides/4), *Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand*. Updated 2 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Vicki Hyde](/source/Vicki_Hyde) (1990). [Slip Sliding Away](https://web.archive.org/web/20071031153152/http://nzsm.webcentre.co.nz/article1473.htm), *New Zealand Science Monthly*, November 1990 (Via Archive.org).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Brown, Diane (16 December 2008). ["Gas cylinders inadvertently activated at Clyde dam"](https://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/central-otago/36210/gas-cylinders-inadvertently-activated-clyde-dam). [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). Retrieved 2008-12-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Shaker Run"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090006/). IMDB.

## Further reading

- Bagge, Michael (2002). *Dams or Democracy? The Clyde Dam Controversy 1968-1982* (MA). Dunedin: University of Otago.

- Findlay, Angela (2004). [*'Vive Aramoana': the Save Aramoana Campaign, 1974-1983*](https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10523/5479/FindlayAngela2004MA.pdf) (PDF) (MA). Dunedin: University of Otago.

- Martin, John E. (1991). *People, Politics and Power Stations*. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-908912-16-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-908912-16-1).

- Ministry of Works and Development. (1987). *[Clyde dam : Clutha power](https://archive.org/details/clyde-dam-clutha-power/)*.

- Reeves, Trevor; Wolfe, Judith (1994). *An Abuse of Power: The Story of the Clyde Dam*. Dunedin: Square One Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-908562-12-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-908562-12-8).

- Sheridan, Marion (1995). *Dam Dwellers – End of an Era*. Twizel: Sheridan Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-473-03402-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-473-03402-6).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Clyde Dam](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Clyde_Dam).

- [LEARNZ photos showing various stages of the construction](https://web.archive.org/web/20150114102507/http://www2.learnz.org.nz/vft-primers/2006/hydro62.pdf)

- [Timeline of Clutha hydroelectric development](https://savetheclutha.blogspot.com/2009/02/clutha-hydro-timeline.html)

v t e Clutha River (Mata-Au) Source: Southern Alps—Flows into: Pacific Ocean Administrative areas Otago Region Queenstown–Lakes District Central Otago District Clutha District Towns and settlements (upstream to downstream) Wānaka Albert Town Luggate Lowburn Cromwell Clyde Alexandra Lake Roxburgh Roxburgh Teviot Ettrick Millers Flat Beaumont Tuapeka Mouth Clydevale Balclutha Stirling Kaitangata Port Molyneux Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence) Makarora River Matukituki River Hāwea River Cardrona River Lindis River Kawarau River Manuherikia River Teviot River Tuapeka River Pomahaka River Waitāhuna River Lakes in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary) Lake Wānaka Lake Hāwea Lake Dunstan Lake Wakatipu Greenland Reservoir Manorburn Reservoir Manorburn Dam Butchers Dam Lake Roxburgh Lake Tuakitoto Islands in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary) Mou Waho Pigeon Island Pig Island / Mātau Birch Island Inch Clutha Other features (upstream to downstream) Central Otago wine region Deadman's Point Bridge Old Cromwell Bridge Cromwell Gorge Clyde Dam Alexandra bridges Roxburgh Dam Kelso Balclutha Road Bridge Longest New Zealand rivers 1: Waikato 2: Clutha 3: Whanganui 4: Taieri 5: Rangitīkei 6: Mataura 7: Waiau 8: Waiau Toa / Clarence 9: Waitaki 10: Ōreti 11: Rangitaiki 12: Manawatū

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Clyde Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Dam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_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.