Darwin Dam

{{Short description|Dam in Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox dam | name = Darwin Dam | name_official = | image = Darwin Dam, Tasmania from air.JPG | image_size = 240 | image_caption = An aerial view of the Darwin Dam,<br/>at the southern end of [[Crotty Dam#Reservoir|Lake Burbury]] | image_alt = | location_map = Australia Tasmania | location_map_size = 240 | location_map_caption = Location of the dam in [[Tasmania]] | location_map_alt = | mapframe = yes | coordinates = {{coord|-42.218316|145.619102|region:AU-TAS_type:landmark|format=dms|display=it}} | country = Australia | location = [[West Coast Tasmania|West Coast]] [[Tasmania]] | purpose = P | status = O | construction_began = | opening = {{start date|1990}} | demolished = | cost = | owner = [[Hydro Tasmania]] | operator = | dam_type = H | dam_crosses = ''off stream'' | dam_height = {{cvt|20|m}} | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = {{cvt|700|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|430|e3m3}} | spillway_count = 0 | spillway_type = | spillway_capacity = | res_name = [[Lake Burbury]] | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|1081.42|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = {{cvt|1065|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = {{cvt|559|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|5325|ha}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = {{cvt|233|m}} {{AHD}} | res_tidal_range = | plant_name = | plant_coordinates = | plant_operator = | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_turbines = | plant_capacity = | plant_capacity_factor= | plant_annual_gen = | website = {{URL|hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/king-yolande|hydro.com.au}} | extra = <ref name=ANCOLD/> }}

The '''Darwin Dam''' is an offstream [[earthfill dam|earthfill]] [[embankment dam|embankment]] [[saddle dam]], located in [[Western Tasmania|Western]] [[Tasmania]], Australia. The impounded [[reservoir]], formed by [[Crotty Dam]] and the Darwin Dam, is called [[Crotty Dam#Reservoir|Lake Burbury]].<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Cross Currents |date=1969 |publisher=Hydro-Electric Commission |issn=0811-4803 |number=70 |title=Anthony and King Power Developments approved }}</ref>

The dam was constructed in 1990 by the [[Hydro Tasmania|Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS)]] for the purpose of generating [[hydro-electricity|hydro-electric power]] via the [[John Butters Power Station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/king-yolande |title=King - Yolande |work=Energy: Our power stations |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |access-date=21 June 2015 }}</ref> It had been known during construction as the ''Andrew Divide Dam''.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Hydro-Electric Commission |title=King River Power Development |author=HEC Public Relations |date=December 1983 }}</ref>

==Features and location== The Darwin Dam, together with the Crotty Dam, are two major dams that form the headwaters for the King River Hydroelectric Power Development. The dam is located at the southern end of Lake Burbury and holds the water for the lake.

The Darwin Dam wall, constructed with {{convert|430|e3m3}} of earth core, is {{convert|20|m}} high and {{convert|700|m}} long. When full, Lake Burbury has capacity of {{convert|1081.42|GL|acre.ft|lk=on}} and covers {{convert|53250|ha}}, drawn from a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of {{convert|559|km2}}. The dam wall does not have a [[spillway]].<ref name=ANCOLD>{{cite web |title=Register of Large Dams Australia-2015 |date=January 2022 |access-date=2026-03-05 |url=https://ancold.org.au/information-resources/dams-information/ |work=[[ANCOLD]] |format=[[Microsoft Excel|Excel]]. Requires download. Row 142}}</ref>

The dam draws its name from [[Mount Darwin, Tasmania|Mount Darwin]], a peak located to the west of the dam wall. Both locations draw their names from the railway stopping place and the ghost town site of [[Darwin, Tasmania|Darwin]] that was situated on the [[North Mount Lyell Railway]] between [[Gormanston, Tasmania|Gormanston]] and [[Kelly Basin]]. It inundates the former [[Kelly Basin Road]] which was the subsequent name for the railway line formation.

In the 1910s the [[Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company]] investigated and surveyed a site very close to this dam for a proposed scheme.

==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Australia|Water}}}} * [[List of reservoirs and dams in Australia#Tasmania|List of dams in Tasmania]]

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book |author-link=Geoffrey Blainey |last=Blainey |first=Geoffrey |title=The Peaks of Lyell |edition=6th |publisher=St. David's Park Publishing |location=Hobart |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7246-2265-8 |title-link=The Peaks of Lyell}} * {{cite book |author-link=Charles Whitham |last=Whitham |first=Charles|title=Western Tasmania - A land of riches and beauty |edition=Reprint 2003 |publisher=Municipality of Queenstown |location=Queenstown |year=2003}}

[[Category:1990 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Concrete-face rock-fill dams]] [[Category:Dams completed in 1990]] [[Category:Earth-filled dams]] [[Category:Hydro Tasmania dams]] [[Category:King River power development scheme]] [[Category:West Coast Range]]