Lake Murchison
Lake Murchison is a man-made water reservoir located in the western region of Tasmania, Australia. The lake is situated within the northern part of Tasmania's West Coast Range and is fed by the Murchison River, the George Creek, the Anthony River, and discharge from the Tribute Power Station.
| Lake Murchison | |
|---|---|
  Lake Murchison Location in Tasmania | |
| Location | Western Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 41°50′24″S 145°42′00″E |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Etymology |
|
| Primary inflows |
|
| Primary outflows | Murchison River |
| Catchment area | 750 km2 (290 sq mi)[1] |
| First flooded | 1982 |
| Surface area | 450 ha (1,100 acres)[2] |
| Water volume | 96,910 ML (3,422×106 cu ft)[1] |
| References | [1] |
Location and features
The Murchison Dam across the Murchison River was built by the Hydro-Electric Commission in 1982. The dam created a 96,910-megalitre (3,422×106 cu ft) reservoir, called Lake Murchison, with a surface area ranging from 408 to 450 hectares (1,010 to 1,110 acres), drawn from a catchment area of 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi).[1][3]
Lake Murchison forms part of the Pieman River power development that was completed in the 1980s.[4] Upstream of Lake Murchison is the White Spur Lake and dam, Henty Lake and dam, Lake Newton and dam, Lake Plimsoll and Anthony Dam, and the Tribute Power Station. Downstream from Lake Murchison is Lake Mackintosh, Tullabardine Dam, Mackintosh Dam, Mackintosh Power Station, Lake Rosebery, Bastyan Dam, Bastyan Power Station, Lake Pieman, Reece Dam and the Reece Power Station.
Etymology
The naming of Lake Murchison is derived from the Murchison River and the adjacent Mount Murchison.
See also
- List of reservoirs and dams in Tasmania
- List of lakes in Tasmania
- List of power stations in Tasmania
References
- "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- "Map of Lake Murchison, TAS". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. n.d. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- "Pieman catchment". Hydro Tasmania. 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- Hydro-Electric Commission; Tasmania. Dept. of Lands and Surveys (1970). Project Pieman: Murchison (Map). National Library of Australia. Sheet 51. § C. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
