{{Short description|Dam and power station in north-western Tasmania}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox dam | name = Rowallan 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|-41.73081|146.215357|type:landmark_region:AU-TAS|display=inline,title|format=dms}} | country = Australia | location = [[North West Tasmania|Northern]] [[Tasmania]] | purpose = P | status = O | construction_began = 1963 | opening = 1967 | demolished = | cost = | owner = [[Hydro Tasmania]] | operator = | dam_type = H | dam_crosses = [[Mersey River (Tasmania)|Mersey River]] | dam_height = {{cvt|43|m}} | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = {{cvt|579|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|497|e3m3}} | spillway_count = 1 | spillway_type = [[Spillway#Types|Uncontrolled]] | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|665|m3/s}} | res_name = Lake Rowallan | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|130.49|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = {{cvt|121|GL|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = {{cvt|345|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|886|ha|acre}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = {{cvt|480|m}} {{AHD}} | res_tidal_range = | plant_name = Rowallan Power Station | plant_coordinates = | plant_operator = Hydro Tasmania | plant_commission = 1968 | plant_decommission = | plant_type = R | plant_hydraulic_head = {{cvt|49|m}} | plant_turbines = 1 x {{cvt|10.5|MW|abbr=on}}<br />{{small|(Maier [[Francis turbine|Francis-type]])}} | plant_capacity = {{cvt|10.5|MW}} | plant_capacity_factor= 0.95 | plant_annual_gen = {{cvt|45|GWh}} | website = {{URL|hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/mersey-forth|hydro.com.au}} | extra = <ref name=ANCOLD/> }}
The '''Rowallan Dam''' is an earthen-faced rockfill [[embankment dam]] across the [[Mersey River (Tasmania)|Mersey River]], located {{convert|25|km}} south of [[Liena]], in the [[North West Tasmania|northern]] region of [[Tasmania]], Australia. Completed in 1967, the resultant [[reservoir]], Lake Rowallan, was established for the purpose of generating [[hydro-electricity|hydro-electric power]] via the '''Rowallan Power Station''', a [[Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity|run-of-the-river]] hydroelectric [[power station]].
The dam, its reservoir, and the power station are owned and operated by [[Hydro Tasmania]].
== Dam and reservoir overview == The Rowallan Dam comprises two earth and [[rock-filled dam|rockfill]] embankments either side of a free overflow reinforced concrete [[spillway]]. The dam wall is {{convert|43|m}} high and {{convert|579|m}} long. When full, Lake Rowallan has capacity of {{convert|130.49|GL|acre.ft|lk=on}} and covers {{convert|886|ha}}, drawn from a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of {{convert|345|km2}}. The single [[spillway#Types|uncontrolled]] spillway is capable of discharging {{convert|665|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 434}}</ref>
In 2010, it was reported that the embankment was leaking;<ref name=TT>{{cite news |author=Ricketts, Andrew |url=https://tasmaniantimes.com/2010/03/rowallan-dam-fears-is-it-being-kept-secret/ |title=Rowallan Dam fears: Is it being kept secret? |work=[[Tasmanian Times]] |date=2010-03-21 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/eha-magazine-v1-6.pdf |title=The Hydro after 100 Years |work=[[EHA Magazine]] |date=March 2015 |page=19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821083524/https://engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/eha-magazine-v1-6.pdf |archive-date=2022-08-21 }}</ref> and in 2013, that the dam wall was moving.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bryan, Selina |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-24/moving-dam-walls-prompt-remedial-work/4650022 |title=Moving walls prompt remedial work |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |date=2013-04-24 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref> Repairs to stabilise the spillway were completed during 2012 and 2013;<ref>{{cite web |author=Daws, Brian |url=https://ancold.org.au/tas-rowallan-dam/ |title=TAS – Rowallan Dam |work=[[ANCOLD]] |date=2013-10-03 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref> and rebuilding of the top {{convert|7|m|ft|spell=on}} of the embankment occurred during 2015.<ref>{{cite web |author=Topham, Chris |url=https://ancold.org.au/tas-ancold-study-tour-to-rowallan-dam-2/ |title=TAS – ANCOLD Study Tour to Rowallan Dam |work=[[ANCOLD]] |date=2015-06-30 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/news/rowallan-dam-receives-upgrade |title=Rowallan Dam receives upgrade |work=[[Engineers Australia]] |date=2015-05-20 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=McIntyre, Damian |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-17/rowellan-dam-to-last-another-150-years-after-upgrade/6398454 |title=Rowallan dam to last another 150 years after multi-million-dollar upgrade |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |date=2015-04-17 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref>
=== Reservoir === The associated '''Lake Rowallan''' is {{convert|11|km}} long with a surface area of {{convert|9|km2}}, is {{convert|488|m}} {{AHD}} and is bordered by Clumner Bluff and Howells Bluff.<ref name=TasEA>{{cite press release |url=http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/Media/PDF/LC/06LCDates.pdf |title=2006 Legislative Council elections—dates announced |publisher=Tasmanian Electoral Commission |date=23 March 2006 |access-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> The reservoir is managed by the Tasmanian Inland Fisheries Service as a trout fishery; and is stocked with both [[brown trout|brown]] and [[rainbow trout]]; there are also native [[Climbing galaxias]], [[Spotted galaxias]] and [[River blackfish]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/waters-a-z/lake-rowallan/ |title=Lake Rowallan |work=Inland Fisheries Service |publisher=[[Tasmanian Government]] |date=n.d. |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref> Lake Rowallan is also the starting point for walks into nearby highland areas including the [[Walls of Jerusalem National Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/tasmania/devonport-cradle-mountain/attractions/natural/lake-rowallan/ |accessdate=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075116/http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/tasmania/devonport-cradle-mountain/attractions/natural/lake-rowallan/ |archivedate=7 July 2011 |title=Lake Rowallan - Devonport & Cradle Mountain Natural Attractions }}</ref>
== Hydroelectric power station == The Rowallan Power Station is part of the [[Mersey River (Tasmania)|Mersey]]{{endash}}[[Forth River (Tasmania)|Forth]] scheme that comprises seven [[Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity|run-of-the-river]] hydroelectric power stations and one [[mini-hydro]] power station. The first station in the scheme, the Rowallan Power Station is located in the river's upper reaches, approximately {{convert|200|m}} downstream of Rowallan Dam, which forms Lake Rowallan. The dam is one of the two main headwater storages in the Mersey—Forth scheme and assists in regulating the water supply to four downstream power stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/mersey-forth |title=Mersey - Forth |work=Energy |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |date= |accessdate=3 July 2015}}</ref>
The power station was commissioned in 1971 by the [[Hydro Tasmania|Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS)]] and the station has one Maier [[Francis turbine|Francis-type]] [[Water turbine|turbine]], with a generating capacity of {{convert|10.5|MW}}. The station output, estimated to be {{convert|45|GWh|TJ|lk=on}} annually,<ref name=ANCOLD/> is fed to [[TasNetworks]]' transmission grid via a 22 k[[voltage|V]]/110 kV transmission line to the switchyard transformer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.com.au/system/files/attachments/Rowallan_Power_Station-Fact-Sheets.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324114536/http://www.hydro.com.au/system/files/attachments/Rowallan_Power_Station-Fact-Sheets.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 March 2012 |title=Rowallan Power Station: Technical fact sheet |work=Mersey-Forth Catchment |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |access-date=3 July 2015 }}</ref> Following use in the power station, water is returned to Lake Parangana.
An upgrade of the power station occurred during 2023 and 2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.hydro.com.au/articles/energy-industry/upgrading-rowallan-power-station-testament-teamwork-and-innovation |title=Upgrading Rowallan Power Station: a testament to teamwork and innovation |publisher=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |date=2024-11-24 |access-date=2026-04-30 }}</ref> Between 2021 and 2024, Hydro Tasmania was granted an exploration licence to assess the possibility of installing a [[pumped-storage hydroelectricity|pumped-storage]] plant near the existing conventional power station. The pumped-storage project did not proceed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/mrtdoc/tasxplor/download/23_8805/EL14-2019_Rowallan_Final_report_2023.pdf |title=EL14/2019 Rowallan Exploration Licence– Final Report |work=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |date=2023-08-10 |access-date=2026-04-30 |via=Mineral Resources Tasmania}}</ref>
== Etymology == The dam, power station, and lake are named in honour of [[Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan]], the former [[Governor of Tasmania]].<ref name=TasEA/>
== See also == {{stack|{{Portal|Renewable energy|Australia|Water}}}} * [[List of power stations in Tasmania]] * {{section link|List of reservoirs and dams in Australia|Tasmania}} * {{section link|List of lakes of Australia|Tasmania}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite web |url=https://www.hydro.com.au/our-energy-system/our-power-stations/mersey-forth |title=Our power stations: Mersey-Forth |work=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |date= |access-date=2026-04-30 }} * {{cite web |url=https://www.hydro.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/mersey-forth_commitments_poster.pdf |title=Mersey-Forth Water Management Review: Program Commitments |format=schematic |work=[[Hydro Tasmania]] |date=n.d. |access-date=2026-04-30 }}
{{Dams in Tasmania|state=collapsed}} {{EnergyTasmania}} {{Lakes of Tasmania}}
[[Category:1967 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Dams completed in 1967]] [[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1968]] [[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Tasmania]] [[Category:Hydro Tasmania dams]] [[Category:Localities of Meander Valley Council]] [[Category:Mersey River (Tasmania)]] [[Category:Northern Tasmania]] [[Category:Reservoirs in Tasmania|Rowallan]] [[Category:Rock-filled dams]] [[Category:Run-of-the-river power stations]]