{{Short description|Dam and power station in Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox dam | name = Repulse Dam | name_official = | image = | image_size = 240 | image_caption = | 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|-42.506417|146.646785|region:AU-TAS_type:landmark|display=inline,title|format=dms}} | country = Australia | location = Central Highlands Tasmania | purpose = P | status = O | construction_began = | opening = {{start date|1968}} | demolished = | cost = | owner = Hydro Tasmania | operator = | dam_type = A | dam_crosses = River Derwent | dam_height = {{cvt|42|m}} | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = {{cvt|433|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|71|e3m3}} | spillway_count = 1 | spillway_type = Uncontrolled | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|3964|m3/s}} | res_name = Lake Repulse | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|15900|ML|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = {{cvt|2820|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|153|ha}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = {{cvt|118|m}} {{AHD}} | res_tidal_range = | plant_name = Repulse Power Station | plant_coordinates = {{coord|42|30|25|S|146|38|45|E|type:landmark}} | plant_operator = Hydro Tasmania | plant_commission = {{start date|1967}} | plant_decommission = | plant_type = C | plant_hydraulic_head = {{cvt|25|m}} | plant_turbines = 1 x {{cvt|29.1|MW}}<br/>{{small|(Boving Kaplan-type)}} | plant_capacity = {{cvt|29.1|MW}} | plant_capacity_factor= 0.8 | plant_annual_gen = {{cvt|153|GWh}} | website = {{URL|hydro.com.au/clean-energy/our-power-stations/derwent|hydro.com.au}} | extra = <ref name=ANCOLD/> }}

The '''Repulse Dam''' is a concrete arch dam with an earth-filled embankment across the Lower River Derwent, located in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia. Completed in 1968, the resultant reservoir, Lake Repulse, was established for the purpose of generating hydro-electric power via the '''Repulse Power Station''', a conventional hydroelectric power station.

The dam, its reservoir, and the power station are owned and operated by Hydro Tasmania.

== Dam and reservoir overview == The dam wall is {{convert|42|m}} high and {{convert|433|m}} long. When full, Lake Repulse has capacity of {{convert|15900|ML|acre.ft|lk=on}} and covers {{convert|153|ha}}, draw from a catchment area of {{convert|2820|km2}}. The single uncontrolled spillway is capable of discharging {{convert|3964|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 421}}</ref>

The reservoir receives water from the Catagunya Dam.<ref name=ANCOLD/> The reservoir is stocked with both brown trout and rainbow trout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/waters-a-z/lake-repulse/ |title=Lake Repulse |work=Inland Fisheries Service |publisher=Tasmania Government |date=n.d. |access-date=2026-04-28 }}</ref> In 2013, a man was charged under the ''Fire Service Act 1979'' (TAS) after leaving a campfire unattended that resulted in the burning of over {{convert|10000|ha}} of bushland surrounding the reservoir.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-07/tas-man-to-be-charged-over-unattended-campfire/4455780 |title=Tas man to be charged over unattended campfire |work=ABC News |date=2013-01-07 |access-date=2026-04-28 }}</ref>

== Hydroelectric power station == Part of the Derwent scheme that comprises eleven hydroelectric power stations, the Repulse Power Station is the eighth power station in the scheme and is located adjacent to the dam wall. The facilities at the Repulse Power Station are simple and include the dam, intake structure with intake gate designed to cut off full flow, a short penstock which is integral with the dam, power station building, generator equipment and associated facilities.{{r|TECH}}<ref name=HYDRO>{{cite web |url=https://www.hydro.com.au/clean-energy/our-power-stations/derwent |title=Derwent |work=Hydro Tasmania |date=n.d. |access-date=26 June 2023}}</ref>

Approved by the Tasmanian Parliament in 1961, the power station was commissioned in 1967 by the Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS). The station has a single Boving Kaplan-type turbine with a generating capacity of {{convert|29.1|MW}}.{{r|HYDRO}} Within the station building, the turbine has a five-bladed runner and concrete spiral casing. Pre-stressed cables passing through the stay vanes anchor the spiral casing and form part of the station foundation. No inlet valve is installed in the station. The station output, estimated to be {{convert|153|GWh|TJ|lk=on}} annually,<ref name=ANCOLD/> is fed to TasNetworks' transmission grid via two 11&nbsp;kV/220&nbsp;kV Siemens generator transformers to the outdoor switchyard.<ref name=TECH>{{cite web|url=https://www.hydro.com.au/docs/default-source/clean-energy/our-power-stations/power-station-fact-sheets/repulse-power-station-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=7bcd9b28_2|title=Repulse Power Station: Derwent Catchment|publisher=Hydro Tasmania|access-date=26 June 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626021531/https://www.hydro.com.au/docs/default-source/clean-energy/our-power-stations/power-station-fact-sheets/repulse-power-station-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=7bcd9b28_2|archive-date=26 June 2023|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2019, Hydro Tasmania announced an upgrade of the power generating infrastructure.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.hydro.com.au/articles/media-releases/hydropower-investment-moves-tasmania-closer-battery-nation |title=Hydropower investment moves Tasmania closer to Battery of the Nation |publisher=Hydro Tasmania |date=2019-09-16 |access-date=2026-04-28 }}</ref>

Water discharged from the Repulse Power Station flows into the River Derwent via the Cluny Lagoon.{{r|HYDRO}}

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

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *Hydro Tasmania page on [https://web.archive.org/web/20060919104726/http://www.hydro.com.au/home/Energy/Tasmanian+Hydro+Electric+Schemes/Catchment+Areas/Derwent+Catchment/The+Lower+Derwent.htm the Lower Derwent]

{{River Derwent Dams|state=collapsed}} {{Dams in Tasmania|state=collapsed}} {{EnergyTasmania}} {{CentralHighlandsTasmania |state=autocollapse}}

Category:1968 establishments in Australia Category:Arch dams Category:Central Highlands (Tasmania) Category:Dams completed in 1968 Category:Earth-filled dams Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1967 Category:Hydro Tasmania dams Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Tasmania