Rocklands Dam
| Rocklands Dam | |
|---|---|
  Rocklands Dam Location of the dam in Victoria | |
 Interactive map of Rocklands Dam | |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Wimmera, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°14′05″S 141°57′36″E / 37.234617°S 141.959968°E |
| Purpose | Water supply |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1938 |
| Opening date | 1953 |
| Owner | GWM Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | |
| Impounds | Glenelg River |
| Height | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Length | 490 m (1,610 ft) |
| Dam volume | 69×103 m3 (2.4×106 cu ft) |
| Spillways | 1 |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 764 m3/s (27,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Rocklands Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 348,310 ML (282,380 acre⋅ft) |
| Active capacity | 261,510 ML (212,010 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 1,380 km2 (530 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 6,850 ha (16,900 acres) |
| Maximum water depth | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Normal elevation | 195.5 m (641 ft) AHD |
| Website gwmwater.org.au | |
| [1] | |
The Rocklands Dam is a gravity dam with rock-filled embankments across the Glenelg River, in the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia. Completed in 1953, the resultant eponymous reservoir, the Rocklands Reservoir, was created for the supply of potable water for the region. The dam and reservoir are the largest operated by Grampians–Wimmera–Mallee Water (GWMWater).
Dam and reservoir overview
[edit]Dam
[edit]Construction of the dam began in 1938; however, during World War II, construction ceased, recommenced in 1950, and the dam was completed in 1953. The concrete-faced dam wall is 24 metres (79 ft) high and 490 metres (1,610 ft) long. When full, the resultant reservoir has a storage capacity of 348.31 gigalitres (282,380 acre⋅ft) and covers 6,850 hectares (16,900 acres), drawn from a catchment area of 1,380 square kilometres (530 sq mi). The uncontrolled spillway has a discharge capacity of 764 cubic metres per second (27,000 cu ft/s).[1] The main wall is flanked by two 15-metre-high (49 ft) embankment sections.[2]
Reservoir
[edit]Originally constructed to supply the Wimmera-Mallee Domestic and Stock channel system, water held by the reservoir is now used for many different purposes. A unique feature of the reservoir is that all entitlement holders, including the environment,[clarification needed] are able to be supplied with water from the reservoir.
The reservoir is a popular recreational boating location, with powerboating, water skiing and jet skiing allowed. Camping is permitted in designated areas. During the duck hunting season, duck shooting is allowed. It is also a popular fishing spot, with Murray cod, redfin, trout and carp taken at all times of the year. The reservoir was one of the premier carp fishing destinations in the late 1990s and early 2000s with carp in excess of 10 kilograms (22 lb) regularly caught.[citation needed]
The reservoir is listed on the Southern Grampians Shire local government heritage register.[3]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Register of Large Dams Australia-2015" (Excel. Requires download. Row 428). ANCOLD. January 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ↑ "Rocklands Reservoir". GWM Water. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ↑ "Rocklands Reservoir, Victorian Heritage Inventory Number H23255". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
External links
[edit]- Rocklands Reservoir. Victorian Heritage Inventory (Report). 1 August 2003. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
Waterways of the Glenelg Hopkins catchment, Victoria, Australia | |
|---|---|
| Rivers | |
| Creeks |
|
| Lakes (natural) |
|
| Reservoirs | |
