![[Farm-ily]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuDYSq5EPweb5CZ7W8NcUY4_T4lFZkLVN0DwbOwni4ZXBAAOxDyJGxvLd_RDakNspup1Q0RZBYzARRIbF_c4gb9v6EaIzJSk32VP4vEm1C7UkUYZFoueUzhGZvdTeK207GRyMDOZSIzE/s1028/76.+May+2021+Blog.jpg)
Spilling over.
This is Hume Dam which is
located on the Murray River upstream of Albury straddling the NSW and Victorian borders. Our irrigation district is supplied from water flowing out of Hume Dam.
The original dam was started
in 1919 and took 17 years to build. When finished in 1936 Hume Dam was the biggest
in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. It was built to
capture the winter and spring rainfall from the Australian Alps and releasing
it to regulate the flow of the Murray River for better navigation for
the steamboats, irrigation, flood and drought control.
Today it is at 97% capacity and holding 2,896 gigalitres
of water. Releases have started to mitigate the risk of
flooding downstream as more rain is forecast this coming week. Today 45,000
megalitres is being released into the Murray River causing minor flooding
downstream, including at Tocumwal some 320kms (201 river miles) downstream.
It is quite a number of years since the dam has been at full capacity and was well worth the drive to see.
When it rains, it pours. Or spills.... Nice perspective on the dam.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. The nearest large(ish) dam (used to create a reservoir) to me is on the mainland between Ullapool and Inverness. I used to see it overflow quite often but it's many years since I last witnessed that. Given the overall rainfall in the Scottish Highlands it seems to me that there has been a massive increase in domestic (and possibly other) water consumption over the years.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, it looks good while we are experiencing the worst drought that we have seen in the 10 years we haven=been here. Diane
ReplyDeleteImpressive.
ReplyDeleteI love the grey faced beast in your header. I've not seen them before.
Quite unique isn't she. The photo of her and her mates was taken September 26, 2014 and I called it "Mud facials - the latest look for bovines". I believe mud is meant to be very good for the complexion.
DeleteWe often go to the spillways after rain too. You are right, it is always a worthwhile trip.
ReplyDeleteImpressive.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's quite the dam! I enjoyed not only the beautiful photo of the dam, but it's history as well!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Saimi
I can almost hear the sound of that rushing water.It is such a powerful force.
ReplyDeleteIt's really huge dam. I like the perspective in your photo.
ReplyDeleteWow. I have a photo in my blog from 2009 when it was 25 percent full.
ReplyDelete