{{short description|Dam in the Northern Territory, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox dam | name = Manton Dam | name_official = | image = Manton Dam.jpg | image_size = 220 | image_caption = The dam reservoir in 2008 | image_alt = | location_map = Northern Territory | location_map_size = 220 | location_map_caption = Location of the former dam<br/>in the Northern Territory | mapframe = yes | coordinates = {{coord|12.840413|S|131.127169|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NT|display=it|format=dms}}<ref name="NT-placenames">{{cite web |title=Place Names Register Extract for "Manton Dam" (Reservoir) |url=https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/view.jsp?id=23617|website=NT Place Names Register |publisher=Northern Territory Government|accessdate=8 January 2022}}</ref> | country = Australia | location = Coomalie Shire, Northern Territory | purpose = W | status = D | construction_began = | opening = 1942 | demolished = | cost = | owner = | operator = PowerWater | dam_type = A | dam_height = {{cvt|24|m}} | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_height_foundation = | dam_length = {{cvt|124|m}} | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|5|e3m3}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_crosses = Manton River | spillway_count = | spillway_type = Uncontrolled | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|400|m3/s}} | res_name = | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|15.9|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = {{cvt|13.3|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = {{cvt|83.9|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|545.5|ha}} | res_elevation = {{cvt|40|m}} {{AHD}} | res_max_depth = | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_tidal_range = | plant_operator = PowerWater | plant_commission = 12 February 2014 | plant_decommission = | plant_type = C | plant_turbines = 1 | plant_capacity = 4kW | plant_annual_gen = | website = | extra = ''Sources:'' <ref name=ANCOLD/><ref name=CSIRO /><ref name=utility /> }} The '''Manton Dam''' is a decommissioned small concrete arch dam across the Manton River, located approximately {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} south of {{NTcity|Darwin}}, in the Northern Territory of Australia. The dam was originally constructed by the Department of Defence during World War II to provide a reliable supply of potable water to Darwin, completed in 1942.<ref name=PWC>{{cite web|url=https://www.powerwater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/8443/2013-Power-and-Water-Corporation-Darwin-Region-Water-Supply-Strategy.pdf|title=Darwin Region Water Supply Strategy|publisher=PowerWater|date=2013|accessdate=8 January 2022}}</ref>
Decommissioned following the construction of the much larger Darwin River Dam in 1972, the resultant reservoir of the Manton Dam is now mostly used for recreation, such as fishing, boating and water skiing, surrounded by a conservation area for native flora and fauna.
== Overview == The dam wall is {{convert|24|m}} high and {{convert|124|m}} long. At full capacity, the resultant reservoir can hold {{convert|15.9|GL|acre.ft|lk=on}} and convert a surface area of {{convert|545.5|ha}}, draw from a catchment area of {{convert|83.9|ha}}. The uncontrolled spillway had a capacity of {{convert|400|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=Excel. Requires download. Row 329}}</ref>
The much larger Darwin River Dam was commissioned in 1972, with Manton Dam retained for emergency supply. Since then, PowerWater has maintained the dam and infrastructure in an inactive state.<ref name=PWC />
=== Current status === Since 1989, the Manton Dam Recreation Area has been open to the public within the portfolio of Parks & Wildlife Commission.<ref name=parks>{{cite web |url=https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/200074/manton-dam-recreation-area.pdf |title=Manton Dam Recreation Area - Fact Sheet |publisher=Parks & Wildlife Commission |date= |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref> Although camping and swimming are not permitted, it is a popular venue for recreational water sports. The reservoir is divided into three distinct zones, allowing separation between high speed watercraft like jet skis, an area for towing skiers and an area for kayaks, canoes, and sailing. The lake is also stocked with various fish species, with fishing permitted in all zones.<ref name=parks /> The environment around the dam is an excellent habitat for crocodiles, which Parks and Wildlife regularly patrol and survey to trap and remove many of these animals, especially during the wet season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/crocodile-removed-from-manton-dam/news-story/06e685fcaeaf767854c73a7ec64129e3 |title=Crocodile removed from Manton Dam |author=Hood, Isabella |work=Northern Territory News |date=18 January 2018 |access-date= }}</ref>
In February 2014, an experimental hydroelectric generator was installed by PowerWater in partnership with Charles Darwin University's Centre for Renewable Energy. With an output of approximately 4kW, the small generator is connected to the mains power grid to take advantage of seasonal releases and spillages during the wet season, and is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.<ref name=utility>{{cite web |url=https://utilitymagazine.com.au/hydro-electric-power-comes-to-the-northern-territory/ |title=Hydro-electric power comes to the Northern Territory |work=Utility Magazine |date=21 March 2014}}</ref>
==Future re-use== PowerWater's 2013 Darwin Region Water Supply Strategy outlines plans to reactivate Manton Dam to supply water in order to mitigate shortages before 2025, extracting up to {{convert|7.4|GL|acre.ft}} per year to meet growing demand.<ref name=PWC /> In 2019, it was estimated that associated works would cost $122 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/future-proofing-the-top-ends-water-supply |title=Future-proofing the Top End's water supply |author=Cooper, Ruth |publisher=Australian Water Association |date=17 June 2019}}</ref> A 2018 report prepared by the CSIRO included a detailed investigation of potential dam sites to meet the future needs of the region. This report found that while Manton Dam could provide a short-term solution until a much larger storage was created, there were some concerns over water quality.<ref name=CSIRO>{{cite web |url=https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP187439&dsid=DS3 |title=Assessment of surface water storage options in the Fitzroy, Darwin and Mitchell catchments |publisher=CSIRO|date=2018 |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>
==See also== {{stack|{{portal|Australia|Water|Energy}}}} * List of dams and reservoirs in Australia * List of power stations in Australia
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Darwin, Northern Territory landmarks}}
Category:1942 establishments in Australia<!-- Dam, as water supply --> Category:1972 disestablishments in Australia<!-- Dam, as water supply --> Category:2014 establishments in Australia<!-- Hydro power station --> Category:Arch dams Category:Dams completed in 1942 Category:Dams in the Northern Territory Category:Darwin, Northern Territory Category:Former dams Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Australia Category:Power stations in the Northern Territory Category:Reservoirs in the Northern Territory