Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world. In the late 1800's people realised that water was more valuable than gold. Leaders discussed the idea of harnessing the melting snow from the Snowy River which flows into the sea and redirect it into the the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers to increase agriculture and protect against drought seasons.
The Scheme consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; one pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts that were constructed between 1949 and 1974. How the engineers worked out how and where to build the dams and the tunnels is amazing.
It wasn't until 1949 that the states and Commonwealth governments agreed on a mammoth scheme to not only to redirect water for irrigation but also to produce hydro electric power.
In 1967 the American Society of Civil Engineering designated the Snowy Scheme as one of the civil engineering wonders of the world.
The two main tunnel systems. Water is diverted through the mountains and held in dams some is used for irrigation and some is used for hydro electricity.Sometimes the water is pumped back and forth and used more than once to make power.
It was a very difficult task in heavily forested mountains with vertical ravines. Extreme climatic conditions added to the difficult working conditions. Freezing winters and hot summers. To get enough workers to build the scheme a huge recruitment and immigration plan was implemented.
Besides Australians many migrants from war torn Europe escaped the horrors and started a new life in Australia. They became part of the Snowy family former enemies and allies working together. They were also instrumental in introducing new ideas other than British in construction, machinery and food. The beginnings of multi cultural Australia.
The men worked hard and for long hours. The scheme was finished before the deadline. The men were paid well for their dangerous work.
To house the workers seven regional towns and over 100 camps were established throughout the Snowy Mountains. Life in camps was extremely hard especially in the early years where men endured harsh winters under canvas with only basic amenities. During the construction time there were over 100,000 men and women from over 30 countries came to work on the scheme. Over 100 workers lost their lives due to accidents.
Once the area was sparsely inhabited by pastoralists. Two town ships were submerged by water when the dams were built. The residents were rehoused in new towns one of them was Jindabyne where we recently went on holiday. Now the area is a tourist attraction. Skiing in winter and hiking and biking in summer in the huge Kosiuszko National park,
 |
| Lake Jindabyne |
The Norwegian workers introduced skiing to Australians but a Czech worker, who was a champion skier was the first to build a ski lodge and chairlift at Thredbo.
Thanks for the history lesson. I found it interesting that the water can be pumped back and forth to create energy again. How's the ankle doing?
ReplyDeleteIts getting better I can walk on it now but still in the boot.
Deletethis is all really interesting, I knew none of what you wrote, and was shocked about your being the driest continent. hope your ankle is doing better each day
ReplyDeleteVery Informative - Thanx For The Photos
ReplyDeleteCheers
I am ashamed to say I have never heard of the snowy scheme, nor the fact that Australia is the driest continent. I always assumed that was Africa. It is amazing how much I learn from blogs such as yours. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteA great post Diane. It's a massive scheme all right and wasn't that a brave decision by the government back then. Water management at its finest.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. It reminds me a little of the expansion of the railroad westward in the US. Dangerous work. Your photos of that area show a very scenic place. Hope the ankle is healing well.
ReplyDeleteGiven the scale of the project and the standards of the time, 100 deaths wasn't too bad. I found the Hydro Discovery visitor place in Cooma quite interesting. https://highriser.blogspot.com/2013/10/day-6-merimbula-to-cooma-2209.html
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting background on this huge scheme. I remember doing a project on it at school. I also remember sitting through one of those very tedious 1960s slide evenings because going to the Snowies was a significant holiday destination at the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a background on this scheme, thanks for sharing this historical information.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this interesting post. How people built a country is always amazing.
ReplyDeleteHello, interesting post. Water management is very important, especially if you are in a dry area. Love the view of the lake and snow covered mountains. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteTough work Diane and interestingly mostly done by migrants!
ReplyDeleteI think 'amazing' is an understatement! It's easy to see why this is one of the civil engineering wonders of the world. Thanks for sharing this information (and photos) with us.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely place especially when the mist lifts so you can see the place. You had much more luck than we did!! Enjoy your day, t'other Diane
ReplyDeleteWhat a very interesting and informative post. I enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Diane. A most informative post for those overseas who have no concept of Australia's unique
ReplyDeletetopography, climatic conditions or sometimes actually where Australia is located. We are certainly not Austria
in Europe, where to my amazement on my trips to the central (Kansas etc) states of the USA, they thought I came from......and even then that Austria was a province/state of Germany!!!!
Oh dear o dear.
Colin
Wonderful to revisit this unique area and the story behind The Snowy Mountain Scheme
ReplyDeleteLiving in a country where it often (very often) rains that sounds rather strange to me ! Very interesting to read !!
ReplyDeleteFascinating history. Thank you for sharing. I didn't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteHarnessing water really was a life saver.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sue
I learned quite a lot from this post, Diane, especially about the conditions in the Snowy Mountains and the work that was done there. Hooe your recovery is going well.
ReplyDeleteFascinating and a modern marvel of engineering.
ReplyDeleteAmazing project and an interesting read Jyndabine looks like a great place for holiday too
ReplyDeleteA most interesting history lesson nicely illustrated.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of thinking and even more work! I'm sure those in the area are really grateful for the work that was done. Thanks for the bit of history lesson.
ReplyDelete