Roxburgh Dam
Roxburgh Dam | |
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File:Roxburgh hall.jpg
Roxburgh Dam machine hall
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Location of Roxburgh Dam in New Zealand
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Location | Central Otago, New Zealand |
Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Concrete gravity dam |
Impounds | Clutha River / Mata-Au |
Height | 76 m (249 ft) |
Length | 358 m (1,175 ft) |
Width (crest) | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
Width (base) | 61 m (200 ft) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Lake Roxburgh |
Surface area | 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
Power station | |
Operator(s) | Contact Energy |
Commission date | 1956 - 1962 |
Turbines | 8 |
Installed capacity | 320 MW (430,000 hp) |
Annual generation | 1,650 GWh (5,900 TJ) |
The Roxburgh Dam is the earliest of the large hydroelectric projects in the southern South Island of New Zealand. It lies across the Clutha River / Mata-Au, some 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Dunedin, some 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the north of the town of Roxburgh. The settlement of Lake Roxburgh Village close to the western edge of the dam.
Contents
Construction
The dam was constructed by a joint venture company between Holland, Hannen & Cubitts of the UK and S A Conrad Zschokke of Switzerland between 1949 and 1953.[1] Because of a lack of performance the initial contract was closed in 1953 and a new contract in which the original two companies were joined by Downer, a New Zealand construction company completed the main construction of the Station in 1957. The power station was commissioned over the period 1956-1962.
Roxburgh power station
The generating capacity was doubled in 1961-62. Today the eight-unit power station has a capacity of 320 megawatts (430,000 hp) operated by Contact Energy.[2]
Lake Roxburgh
Lake Roxburgh, the lake formed behind the dam, extends for nearly 30 kilometres (19 mi) towards the town of Alexandra.
Gallery
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Roxburgh spillway.jpg
Spillway
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RoxburghHydroStnNZ.JPG
Outdoor view, clearly showing the eight penstocks
See also
References
Further reading
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