Frome Dam

{{Short description|Dam and former power station in Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox dam | name = Frome Dam | name_official = | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | image_alt = | location_map = Tasmania | location_map_size = 240 | location_map_caption = Location of the former power station in [[Tasmania]] | location_map_alt = | mapframe = yes | coordinates = {{coord|-41.144525|147.911759|type:landmark_region:AU-TAS|format=dms|display=it}} | country = Australia | location = North East [[Tasmania]] | purpose = {{ubl|[[Hydroelectricity|Power]]|[[Irrigation]]|[[Potable water|Potable]] [[water supply]]}} | status = O | construction_began = 1908 | opening = 1909 | demolished = | cost = | builder = | designed_by = | owner = {{ubl|Pioneer Tin Mining Co.<br/>{{small|(1908–1988)}}|Moorina Hydro Pty Ltd <br/>{{small|(1988–2009)}}|Tasmanian Irrigation<br/>{{small|(since 2009– )}}}} | operator = | dam_type = H | dam_crosses = [[Frome River]] | dam_height = {{cvt|18|m}} | dam_height_foundation = | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = {{cvt|197|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|25|e3m3}} | spillway_count = | spillway_type = [[Spillway#Types|Uncontrolled]] | spillway_length = | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|80|m3/s}} | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | spillway_type2 = | spillway_length2 = | spillway_capacity2 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | spillway_type3 = | spillway_length3 = | spillway_capacity3 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | res_name = | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|1820|ML|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = {{cvt|17|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|90|ha|acre}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = {{cvt|331|m}} {{AHD}} | res_tidal_range = | lower_dam_type = | lower_dam_crosses = | lower_dam_height_foundation = | lower_dam_height_thalweg = | lower_dam_length = | lower_dam_elevation_crest = | lower_dam_width_crest = | lower_dam_width_base = | lower_dam_volume = | lower_spillway_count = | lower_spillway_type = | lower_spillway_length = | lower_spillway_capacity = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | lower_spillway_type2 = | lower_spillway_length2 = | lower_spillway_capacity2 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | lower_spillway_type3 = | lower_spillway_length3 = | lower_spillway_capacity3 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | lower_res_name = | lower_res_capacity_total = | lower_res_capacity_active = | lower_res_capacity_inactive = | lower_res_catchment = | lower_res_surface = | lower_res_max_length = | lower_res_max_width = | lower_res_max_depth = | lower_res_elevation = | lower_res_tidal_range = | plant_name = Moorina Power Station | plant_coordinates = {{coord|41|45|07|S|147|32|38|E|type:landmark_region:AU-TAS|display=inline}} | plant_operator = | plant_commission = 1909 | plant_decommission = 2008 | plant_type = C | plant_hydraulic_head = {{cvt|129|m}} | plant_turbines = 3x {{cvt|325|kW}} {{small|([[J.M. Voight|Voight-type]])}} | plant_pumpgenerators = | plant_pumps = | plant_capacity = {{cvt|975|kW|hp}} | plant_capacity_factor = | plant_efficiency = | plant_storage_hours = | plant_annual_gen = {{cvt|4|GWh}} | plant_annual_gen_year = | website = | extra = <ref>{{cite web |author=Mathers, Phil |editor=Cole, Bruce |url=https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/HRP.Lake%20Margaret%20Hydro.Nomination.pdf |title={{Title case|NOMINATION OF LAKE MARGARET POWER SCHEME FOR A HISTORIC ENGINEERING MARKER}} |work=[[Engineers Australia]] |date=June 2007 |access-date=2026-04-30 |pages=22-23 }}</ref> {{Infobox historic site | embed = yes | designation1 = THR | designation1_offname = Moorina Hydro-electricity Power Development | designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = | delisted1_date = | designation1_partof = | designation1_number = 1396 | designation1_free1name = | designation1_free1value = | designation1_free2name = | designation1_free2value = | designation1_free3name = | designation1_free3value = }} }} The '''Frome Dam''' is a concrete-faced rockfill [[embankment dam]] across the [[Frome River]], located near the hamlet of Moorina in far north-eastern [[Tasmania]], Australia. Completed in 1908, the resultant [[reservoir]] was established for the purpose of generating [[hydro-electricity|hydro-electric power]] via the '''Moorina Power Station''', a subsequently [[wikt:decommission|decommission]]ed [[Hydroelectricity#Conventional (dams)|conventional]] hydroelectric [[power station]]. At the time of its closure in 2008, Moorina Power Station was the oldest operating electricity generator in Australia.<ref name="hydro" />{{rp|35}}

The former power station and associated equipment are listed on the [[Tasmanian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlineregister.heritage.tas.gov.au/Place/1396 |title=Moorina Hydro-electricity Power Development |work=[[Tasmanian Heritage Register]] |date=n.d. |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref>

== Dam and reservoir overview == The concrete-faced [[rockfill dam]] was the first of its kind in Australia.<ref name="hydro" /> It was built in 1908 to supply water for a power station for the Pioneer Tin Mining Co.{{efn|Also stated as the ''Endurance Tin Mining Company'' and as ''Brisies Tin Mine'' at {{TAScity|Derby}}, at the time, the largest tin mine in the northeast.<ref name=NRE>{{cite report |title=Water Management Report for the Ringarooma River Catchment Water Management Plan. Water Management Planning Report Series, Report No. WMP 11/02 |work=Water and Marine Resources Division, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment |publisher=[[Tasmanian Government]] |date=2011 |access-date=2026-04-30 |url=https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Water%20Management%20Report%20for%20the%20Ringarooma%20River%20Catchment%20Water%20Management%20Plan.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|5}}}} In addition, the dam supplied the village of {{TAScity|Pioneer}} with [[potable water]], was also used for mining operations, and, since 2009, has assisted with [[irrigation]] downriver of the dam.

The dam wall is {{convert|18|m}} high and {{convert|197|m}} long, following alterations carried out in 1911.<ref name=Graham>{{cite report |author=Graham, Bryce |url=https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/HydRingarooma.pdf |title=Hydrological Analysis Of The Ringarooma Catchment |work=Department of Primary Industry, Water and the Environment |publisher=[[Tasmanian Government]] |date=March 1999 |access-date=2026-04-30 |page=6 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Dam Technology in Australia 1850-1999 |publisher=[[Australian National Committee on Large Dams]] |date= |page= }}</ref> When full, the small reservoir has capacity of {{convert|1820|ML|acre.ft|lk=on}} and covers {{convert|90|ha}}, drawn from a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of {{convert|17|km2}}. The [[Spillway#Types|uncontrolled spillway]] has a flow capacity of {{convert|80|m3/s}}.<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 195}}</ref>

Since its establishment, ownership of the dam and its associated assets have included the Pioneer Tin Mining Co. (1908–1988), Moorina Hydro Pty Ltd (1988–2009), and, since 2009, Tasmanian Irrigation Pty. Ltd.<ref name=NRE/>{{rp|8}} In 2011, it was reported that Tasmanian Irrigation were constructing a {{convert|10|km|mi|adj=on}} pipeline from the Frome Dam to the northern branch of the existing irrigation scheme near {{TAScity|Winnaleah}}, to increase the supply of water from the scheme;<ref name=NRE/>{{rp|5}} that was operational by May 2025.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://tasmanianirrigation.com.au/source-assets/images/schemes/WIS-Scheme-overview.pdf |title=Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme (WIS): Overview Document |work=Tasmanian Irrigation |date=May 2025 |access-date=2026-04-30 |page=4 }}</ref>

== Hydroelectric power station == === Concept and construction === In 1900, the Pioneer Tin Mining Co. was formed to extract tin ([[cassiterite]]) from Tertiary alluvial deposits found in abundance in the far north-east of Tasmania, at the town of Pioneer. At the time the only dedicated power station in Tasmania was the [[Duck Reach Power Station]], near [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]], which was entirely devoted to street lighting and the general needs of the city of Launceston.

In addition, "Water shortages for sluicing and the consumption of {{convert|30,000|tonnes}} of firewood per annum for steam raising had, by 1907, led to the proposal to develop the Moorina Scheme to provide both electricity and sluicing water".<ref name=REGA>{{cite book |publisher=Renewable Energy Generators of Australia (REGA) |title=REGA newsletter |date=February 2003}}{{better reference needed|date=May 2026}}</ref><ref name=HT>{{cite book |title=Moorina |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |year= }}{{better reference needed|date=May 2026}}</ref> Opened between 1906<ref name=HT/> and 1907,<ref name=REGA/> construction of the station proceeded during 1908 with and the first machine was commissioned in March 1909.<ref name="hydro">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.com.au/documents/Our%20Environment/Lake%20Marg%20June%2006%20Final%20CMP%20Volume%201_1_.pdf |title=Lake Margaret Power Scheme |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026062305/http://www.hydro.com.au/documents/Our%20Environment/Lake%20Marg%20June%2006%20Final%20CMP%20Volume%201_1_.pdf |archive-date=26 October 2009}}</ref>

=== Technical details === The station is housed in a small {{convert|10|by|15|m|adj=on}} corrugated galvanised iron building, which at one point had several out-buildings nearby. Most of these buildings remain including two 1908 houses, a 1939 build engineer's residence, and a machine shed. There is limited public access to the area.

Water for operations is supplied from the Frome Dam, located {{convert|1.6|km}} due south from the powerhouse. As well as generating power for the mine, the water was transported to Pioneer via a race to supply the town and the mine. A {{convert|2.7|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} race and [[penstock]] conveyed water to the power station itself, where is passed through the machinery inside. Other races collected runoff from the headwaters of the Wyniford and Weld rivers.<ref name=Graham/>

The plant possessed three{{efn|Some sources{{cn|date=May 2026}} describe the plant as having only one turbine.}} generating sets, each rated at {{convert|325|kW}} or 360 k[[Voltage|V]]A, at {{convert|50|Hz}} and 6.5 kV, with capacity of {{convert|975|kW}} or 1,080 kVA.<ref name=REGA/>{{efn|The [[Hydro Tasmania|Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission]] (HEC) stated that the plant produced only {{convert|600|kW}}.<ref name=HT/> The [[Tasmanian Greens]] discussion paper, 'Power without Purpose - Tasmania's Energy Glut', stated similar capacity.{{cn|date=May 2026}}}} The decision to fit {{convert|50|Hz|adj=on}} alternators made integration with the main Tasmanian hydro-electric system much easier. The turbines were built by [[J.M. Voight]], of [[Heidenheim an der Brenz|Heidenheim]], [[Germany]], while the alternators were built by [[AEG (German company)|AEG]].{{cn|date=May 2026}} Prior to its closure, the plant was generating approximately {{convert|4|GWh|TJ|lk=on}} annually.<ref name=ANCOLD/>

=== Decommissioning === The Pioneer tin mine closed in the mid-1980s, and since then the plant has been owned and operated by Moorina Hydro Pty. Ltd., with a crew of two. In 2008 the power station was closed due to the high cost of upgrading equipment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Moorina Close |url=http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/tas/content/2006/s2183667.htm |publisher=[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]] |work=[[Stateline (TV program)|Stateline]] |date=7 March 2008 |author=Lewarn, Melissa |access-date=20 August 2014 |format=transcript |location=Tasmania}}</ref> Ownership of the dam was transferred to Tasmanian Irrigation.

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

== Notes == {{notes list}}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.com.au/system/files/documents/Cultural_heritage/conservation_mgmt_plan_tarraleah.pdf |title=Tarraleah Power Station: Conservation Management Plan |author1=Austral Archeology Pty Limited |author2=Terry, Ian |date=April 2007 |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |access-date=20 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912110103/http://www.hydro.com.au/system/files/documents/Cultural_heritage/conservation_mgmt_plan_tarraleah.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite web |url=http://www.tco.asn.au/oac/community_overview.cgi?oacID=39&articleID=179438 |title=Community Overview |work=Winnaleah Online Access Centre |publisher=LINC Tasmania: [[State Library of Tasmania]], Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office, Adult Education and Online Access Centres |date=23 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329201807/http://www.tco.asn.au/oac/community_overview.cgi?oacID=39&articleID=179438 |archive-date=29 March 2012 |access-date=2026-04-30 }} * {{cite web |url=http://www.consuleng.com.au/Moorina%20Power%20Development%20(Smith%201992)%2001.pdf |title=Moorina Power Development |author1=Smith, Charles R. |pages=43–48 |date=1992 |work=Engineering Heritage }}{{dead-link|date=May 2026}}

[[Category:1909 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:2008 disestablishments in Australia]] [[Category:Concrete-face rock-fill dams]] [[Category:Dams completed in 1909]] [[Category:Economic history of Tasmania]] [[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1909]] [[Category:Former power stations in Australia]] [[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Tasmania]] [[Category:North East Tasmania]] [[Category:Tasmanian Heritage Register]]