Ross River Dam

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Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use Australian English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Type in location".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator The Ross River Dam is a rock and earthfill-filled embankment dam across the Ross River, located between Kelso and Mount Stuart in the City of Townsville in northern Queensland, Australia. Built initially for flood control, Lake Ross, the impoundment created by the dam, serves as one of the major potable water supplies for the region.[1]

The dam reached 250% capacity in February 2019 as a result of mass rainfall and flooding in the area.[2]

Location and features

The dam was constructed by Leighton Contractors[3] in 1971 for the purposes of flood mitigation and water storage. The dam was an attempt to address Townsville's dual water concerns--abundance and scarcity--and added to the city's long history of attempting to tame the natural environment.[4]

In the 1980s, the second stage of the dam necessitated a deviation of the Flinders Highway and Mount Isa railway line (which previously ran straight north-south) to be further east. This was completed by 1986 and resulted in the closure of Toonpan and Barringha railway stations on the removed route; they were not re-established on new route.[5][6][7][8]

Following a 2007 upgrade of facilities, the dam has a capacity of Script error: No such module "convert". and an earth rock embankment Script error: No such module "convert". in length and Script error: No such module "convert". high. The reservoir has a catchment area of Script error: No such module "convert". with a controlled gated spillway. The reservoir has a current capacity of Script error: No such module "convert". of water;[9] and can hold up to Script error: No such module "convert". of water in flood mitigation.[10][11]

When the dam gates open, water spills over into the Ross River. Visitors may view the dam from a viewing platform at Ross Park. The Ross Dam Pump Station supplies up to Script error: No such module "convert". of water to the Douglas Water Treatment Plant, where the water undergoes aeration, sedimentation, rapid sand filtration and chlorination treatment before being pumped to the reservoir where the water is distributed to Townsville.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

At the base of the dam and on the banks of the Ross River is Ross Park, part of Riverway, with facilities for picnics or barbecues, as well as public toilets at this location.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Upgrade of the dam wall

  • 2001 - a panel of experts in dam safety and construction undertook an investigation of the dam. Over two years, the panel conducted studies of the dam's compliance with world standards.[1]
  • 2003 - The report confirmed that upgrades were required and by late 2003 because the dam moved Script error: No such module "convert". a year. At that rate, the dam would have burst in a 10-year period, causing the whole suburb of Kelso to be inundated. The first stage of lowering the spillway by Script error: No such module "convert". was underway, the lowering of the existing spillway has been done so the installing of dam gates to control the flow downstream and water storage levels can begin.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • 2004 - A combined GHD-MWH team was appointed to design the remaining work and manage the project. The contracting strategy was the first application of the 'Early Tenderer Involvement' (ETI) procurement model, developed by consultants ITN.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • 2005 - John Holland Group and Macmahon are awarded the construction contract.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • 2006 - Construction commenced with Constructing sand filters and supporting earthfill, extra rockwork to the dam embankment and the contraction of the gates.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • 2007 - Project completed late 2007.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The spillway gates have increased the dam's capacity by around nine percent, which is about Script error: No such module "convert". or four months extra supply of water. Three spillway gates span the Script error: No such module "convert". wide spillway. The upgrade was going to take until mid-2008 to complete unless rainfall delays construction, however it was completed ahead of time in late 2007. The cost was around Template:AUD115 million.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The dam's storage was temporarily reduced with the lowering of the spillway to make way for the new floodgates that have now been fitted.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Water is supplied to surrounding areas by releasing water from the Burdekin Dam spillway into the Burdekin and Haughton Rivers. Weirs control the volume of water entering each river. The Haughton pumping station supplies water via a low pressure pipeline to Ross River Dam. The pipeline was built in 1988 by the Townsville Council. During the first decade the PVC sections of the pipeline repeatedly ruptured.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Courier Mail: Rooftop rescues as gates of hell open. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/weather/townsville-floods-rooftop-rescues-as-ross-river-dam-floodgates-open/news-story/db0fc048e13b16a6fcbc511dd3dc98a2 Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  3. ↑ Leighton Holdings history Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Template:Queensland Globe
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Template:WaterQueensland

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