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Gordon Dam

The Gordon Dam is a 140-metre-high double-curvature concrete arch dam situated on the Gordon River in southwestern Tasmania, Australia, constructed between 1971 and 1974 by the Hydro-Electric Commission to harness the region's hydroelectric resources.^[1]^[2] It impounds Lake Gordon, Australia's largest artificial lake by volume, which forms the upper storage reservoir for the Gordon-Pedder hydroelectric development and supports power generation at the underground Gordon Power Station with a capacity of 432 megawatts.^[3]^[4] Completed on November 25, 1974, after involving over 1,500 workers and 154,000 cubic metres of concrete, the dam stands as Australia's tallest and was recognised as a National Engineering Landmark in 2000 for its innovative design that efficiently spans a narrow gorge using the arch's structural advantages.^[2]^[1]^[4] Spanning 198 metres in length with a base thickness of 70 metres tapering to 4 metres at the crest, its double-curvature form optimises load transfer to the abutments in the folded quartzite geology of the Southwest National Park, enabling reliable renewable energy production that contributes significantly to Tasmania's grid.^[1]^[5] While the broader Gordon-below-Franklin scheme faced environmental opposition leading to the Franklin Dam's cancellation in 1983, the Gordon Dam itself has operated without major incident, underscoring its engineering durability over five decades.^[6]

Location and Physical Features

Geographical Setting

The Gordon Dam is located in southwestern Tasmania, Australia, on the Gordon River approximately 120 kilometers west of Hobart, within a deep and narrow gorge formed by the river's westward course toward the Indian Ocean.^[1] The site lies in the remote King Valley region, characterized by steep, incised valleys and dissected plateaus typical of Tasmania's dissected highland landscape, where the river has carved through resistant quartzite and sedimentary bedrock over millennia.^[7] This positioning exploits the natural topography for hydroelectric purposes, with the dam spanning a confined valley floor at an elevation where the structure rises 140 meters above the riverbed.^[1] Surrounding the dam is the Southwest National Park, encompassed within the larger Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, featuring rugged terrain with elevations reaching over 1,000 meters in nearby ranges such as the Arthur Range to the north.^[8] The area receives high annual precipitation exceeding 2,000 millimeters, supporting dense cool temperate rainforest dominated by species like Nothofagus cunninghamii (myrtle beech) and Athrotaxis selaginoides (King Billy pine), which thrive in the humid, leached soils of the quartzite-derived plateaus.^[7] The Gordon River, originating from the Central Plateau and fed by tributaries including the Olga and Florentine Rivers upstream, drains a catchment of approximately 1,870 square kilometers before impoundment, contributing to the reservoir's capacity to store over 12 billion cubic meters of water at full supply.^[1] Access to the site is limited, primarily via the unsealed Gordon River Road from the nearest settlement of Strathgordon, reflecting the region's isolation and minimal human modification prior to development, with the gorge's geology—comprising folded Ordovician sedimentary rocks—providing a stable yet challenging foundation due to faulting and jointing.^[7] The local microclimate is cool and wet, with frequent fog and rainfall influencing erosion patterns and vegetation cover, underscoring the dam's placement in one of Australia's most pristine and hydrologically productive wilderness zones.^[1]

Structural Specifications

The Gordon Dam is a double-curvature concrete arch dam, designed to impound the Gordon River and form Lake Gordon as part of Tasmania's hydroelectric system.^[1]^[5] This structural type relies on the arch's curvature to transfer water pressure laterally to the abutments, minimizing the volume of material required compared to gravity dams.^[9] Standing at 140 meters high, the dam represents Tasmania's tallest such structure, with a crest length of 192 meters.^[10] The double-curvature profile enhances stability against the hydrostatic loads from the reservoir, which has a capacity exceeding that of Sydney Harbour at full supply.^[8] Construction utilized mass concrete poured in monolithic blocks to ensure monolithic behavior under load, addressing the challenging folded quartzite geology of the site.^[5] Key structural elements include a spillway integrated into the right abutment, capable of handling extreme flood events, though specific discharge capacities are tied to operational hydrology rather than primary dam geometry.^[1] The dam's foundation is anchored into sound quartzite bedrock, with grouting performed to seal fractures and prevent seepage, critical for maintaining long-term integrity in the region's seismic and erosive conditions.^[5] No significant structural modifications have been reported since completion in 1974, underscoring the robustness of the original design.^[6]

Engineering and Design

Architectural Innovations

The Gordon Dam employs a double-curvature concrete arch design, a key architectural innovation that optimizes load transfer to the surrounding abutments through both horizontal arch action and vertical dome-like resistance. This configuration allows the dam to withstand immense hydrostatic forces with a relatively thin profile, reducing material requirements compared to traditional gravity dams while maintaining structural integrity in the narrow Gordon River gorge.^[2]^[7] At 140 meters high and 198 meters along the crest, the dam utilizes 154,000 cubic meters of concrete, forming the tallest arch structure in Australia. The double curvature facilitates uniform pressure distribution across the wall, enhancing efficiency and stability against the reservoir's 12.4 cubic kilometers of impounded water.^[11]^[12] Incorporating a gated spillway, the design includes radial gates for controlled water release, integrating seamlessly with the hydroelectric operations downstream. Site-specific adaptations, such as extensive abutment excavation yielding a 122-meter pre-split face on the left bank, addressed geological challenges posed by folded Precambrian quartzite, ensuring a secure foundation without compromising the arch's aesthetic and functional curvature.^[7]

Construction Challenges and Methods

The construction of Gordon Dam faced significant logistical and environmental hurdles due to its remote location in Tasmania's rugged southwest wilderness, initially accessible only by foot, boat, or helicopter from 1956 onward, with teams often isolated for weeks by adverse weather.^[13] Annual rainfall exceeding 4 meters, combined with fierce winds and sudden severe flooding of the Gordon River, necessitated robust river diversion measures and delayed progress.^[13] Geological complexities, including prominent faults in the abutments, required extensive excavation—particularly on the left abutment—and the drilling of tunnels for grouting and drainage to ensure foundation stability for the 140-meter-high structure.^[13] To support the workforce, which peaked at around 2,000 residents including families, the Strathgordon village was established in the 1960s with prefabricated housing, a shopping center, church, and other amenities.^[14]^[2] Engineering methods emphasized efficiency in the isolated setting, beginning with an 80-kilometer access road from Maydena constructed by the mid-1960s to enable heavy equipment transport, following initial roadwork in 1964.^[14]^[13] Site preparation included building a temporary 22-meter-high cofferdam and a 340-meter-long, 8-meter-wide diversion tunnel to reroute the river during foundation work, with abutments cleared and treated for optimal load transfer in the double-curvature arch design.^[13] Concrete placement, totaling 154,000 cubic meters over nearly three years from January 1972 to completion on November 25, 1974, utilized a cableway system—initial ropes laid by helicopter across the 140-meter gorge—for precise block pours, minimizing material while maximizing structural integrity under the guidance of lead designer Dr. Sergio Giudici.^[13]^[14] The double-curvature profile distributed hydrostatic pressure evenly to the abutments, an innovation refined through Hydro Tasmania's in-house stress analysis programs to meet safety criteria with reduced concrete volume.^[2]^[13] Impoundment of Lake Gordon commenced in April 1974, integrating the dam into Tasmania's hydroelectric scheme despite the era's logistical constraints.^[13]

Power Generation and Operations

Gordon Power Station Overview

The Gordon Power Station is Tasmania's largest conventional hydroelectric facility, situated 183 meters underground adjacent to the Gordon Dam in the state's remote southwest region. Operated by Hydro Tasmania, it harnesses the potential energy of water impounded in Lake Gordon, part of the broader Gordon-Pedder scheme, to drive electricity generation. Water flows from the reservoir through a 137-meter-high vertical pressure shaft into the powerhouse, where it powers turbines before discharging into the Gordon River.^[3]^[15] The station features three Francis-type turbines, each rated at 150 MW and coupled to 160 MVA generators, yielding a total installed capacity of 432 MW. Initial commissioning occurred in 1977 with two units operational, followed by the addition of the third unit in 1988 to meet growing energy demands. This configuration enables the station to produce significant renewable baseload power, contributing up to 13 percent of Tasmania's annual electricity needs under optimal hydrological conditions.^[15]^[16]^[17] As a key asset in Tasmania's predominantly hydroelectric grid, the Gordon Power Station exemplifies large-scale underground engineering adapted to the region's rugged terrain and high rainfall. Its design prioritizes efficiency in head and flow management, with automated controls for turbine operation and grid synchronization via 220 kV transmission lines. Ongoing refurbishments, including recent turbine upgrades initiated in 2024, aim to extend operational life and enhance reliability amid evolving energy storage and export dynamics.^[3]^[18]

Capacity, Output, and Integration with Tasmanian Grid

The Gordon Power Station, utilizing water impounded by the Gordon Dam, features an installed generating capacity of 432 megawatts (MW), achieved through three Francis-type turbines each rated at 144 MW.^[3] ^[16] The station's design allows for high-efficiency operation via an 80-meter vertical pressure shaft delivering water from the dam's reservoir.^[3] Annual energy output from the station varies with hydrological conditions, precipitation, and demand, but it typically supplies up to 13 percent of Tasmania's electricity needs under average inflow scenarios.^[19] This contribution equates to a significant portion of Hydro Tasmania's total generation, supporting both baseload and peaking requirements within the state's predominantly renewable energy mix.^[20] Integration with the Tasmanian electricity grid occurs through the station's surface switchyard, where output from 18 kV busbars is stepped up via three 18/220 kV transformers for transmission on high-voltage lines managed by TasNetworks.^[15] As Hydro Tasmania's largest facility, it forms a core component of the interconnected hydroelectric system, enabling coordinated dispatch with upstream storages like Lake Gordon and downstream schemes, while facilitating exports via the Basslink interconnector to mainland Australia during periods of surplus generation.^[3] This setup enhances grid reliability by providing dispatchable hydropower that complements intermittent sources such as wind, with output modulated via spillway releases or turbine adjustments to balance supply and storage levels.^[21]

Historical Context

Planning and Development Phase

The planning for the Gordon Dam originated in the early 1960s as part of the Hydro-Electric Commission's (HEC) efforts to expand Tasmania's hydroelectric capacity amid growing electricity demand following post-war industrialization and population growth.^[2] The Gordon River was identified for its high hydroelectric potential due to the region's steep gorges, abundant rainfall exceeding 4,000 mm annually, and untapped river flow, with Stage One of the Gordon River Power Development focusing on damming the upper Gordon to create a large storage reservoir.^[22] Site selection emphasized the narrow, deep gorge at the dam location for structural efficiency in an arch dam design, informed by preliminary hydrological assessments of the Gordon River's mean annual flow of approximately 300 cubic meters per second.^[5] Geological and environmental surveys commenced in the mid-1960s to evaluate the site's feasibility, revealing complex quartzite and sandstone formations intersected by fault lines, which necessitated detailed engineering geology studies to mitigate risks such as seepage or instability.^[22] These included assessments of local flora, fauna, and indigenous history to compile baseline data, though conservation concerns were secondary to power generation priorities at the time, with limited public opposition compared to later stages.^[22] The HEC's comprehensive report on the proposed Gordon River Power Development Stage One, including a thermal power station alternative, was presented to the Tasmanian Minister for Mines on May 1, 1967, outlining the scheme's projected 300 MW capacity from the Gordon Power Station and integration with existing infrastructure like Lake Pedder.^[23] ^[24] Tasmanian Parliament approved the Gordon River Power Development in 1967 with minimal internal dissent, enabling allocation of funds and initiation of access infrastructure despite the southwest's remoteness, where no prior roads existed.^[22] Pre-construction preparations followed, including the construction of an 80 km access road from Maydena to the site starting around 1964 for survey and logistics purposes, and the establishment of Strathgordon as a temporary village to house up to 1,000 workers and support operations.^[14] ^[22] Logistical challenges in planning accounted for the area's isolation, frequent severe weather, and lack of existing supply lines, prompting designs for self-sufficient camps and helicopter-assisted surveys.^[22] The phase concluded with finalized blueprints for a double-curved concrete arch dam, 140 meters high, prioritizing cost-effective thin-arch construction over alternatives like gravity dams.^[2]

Construction and Completion (1970s)

Construction of the Gordon Dam commenced in 1972 under the direction of the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania, building on earlier infrastructure like an 80 km access road developed since the 1960s to reach the remote southwest site.^[4] The project addressed the region's challenging terrain and lack of prior road access, initially relying on foot, boat, or helicopter for entry and early material transport, including nylon ropes laid by helicopter for the cableway system equivalent in height to a 60-storey building.^[13] To divert the Gordon River during construction, engineers erected a temporary 22 m coffer dam and excavated a 340 m diversion tunnel, 8 m wide and designed to convey six times the river's average flow, mitigating risks from sudden severe flooding.^[13] The dam's double-curvature arch design, rising 140 m high, incorporated extensive excavation on the left abutment, along with grouting and drainage tunnels to handle the site's folded and faulted quartzite geology.^[4] Approximately 154,000 cubic metres of concrete were poured into the structure, distributed to evenly manage water pressure in the narrow gorge.^[13] The workforce, peaking at around 2,000 personnel, was supported by the newly established Strathgordon village, which included prefabricated housing, a shopping centre, church, butcher, and baker to sustain operations in the isolated area.^[2] Construction faced ongoing hurdles from unfavourable weather, geological complexities requiring precise siting to avoid faults, and logistical demands of the rugged landscape.^[13] Completion occurred on 25 November 1974, when the final bucket of concrete was poured, forming Australia's largest arch dam at the time and impounding Lake Gordon, the nation's biggest water storage with a capacity of 12.4 million megalitres.^[2]^[4] This milestone enabled subsequent integration into Tasmania's hydroelectric scheme, though the associated Gordon Power Station did not become operational until 1978.^[4]

Expansion within Hydro Tasmania System

The Gordon Power Station, downstream of the Gordon Dam, was commissioned in 1977 by the Hydro-Electric Commission (HEC) with two Francis-type turbines, each rated at 150 MW, yielding an initial generating capacity of 300 MW within Tasmania's expanding hydroelectric network.^[15] This setup harnessed water from Lake Gordon via a 137-meter-high vertical shaft, integrating with upstream storages like Lake Pedder to bolster the HEC's baseload renewable generation amid rising industrial and residential demand.^[15]^[16] In 1988, the HEC expanded the underground facility by installing a third turbine of identical 150 MW capacity, coupled to a 160 MVA generator, elevating the total installed capacity to 450 MW and optimizing energy extraction from the Gordon River catchment.^[15]^[20] This augmentation addressed increasing electricity needs, particularly from aluminum smelters like those operated by Comalco, while leveraging the station's design for up to five turbines—leaving two bays unused for potential future growth.^[15]^[25] The expansion solidified the Gordon scheme's role as Tasmania's largest hydroelectric contributor, forming a cornerstone of the HEC's (later Hydro Tasmania's) interconnected system that by the late 1980s supplied over 90% of the state's electricity from renewables.^[3] Following the HEC's corporatization as Hydro Tasmania in 1998, the enhanced station continued to support grid stability, with its output feeding into the Basslink interconnector for mainland exports.^[3]^[16]

Controversies and Environmental Considerations

Opposition and Public Debates

The Gordon River Power Development Stage One, encompassing the Gordon Dam, received parliamentary approval in Tasmania on December 13, 1967, with minimal contemporaneous opposition, reflecting the era's prioritization of hydroelectric expansion for economic growth. However, the scheme's associated infrastructure, notably the enlargement of Lake Pedder via the Serpentine Dam completed in 1972 to augment storage for the Gordon Power Station, provoked substantial environmental backlash. Critics highlighted the irreversible loss of Pedder's unique glacial landforms, pink quartzite beaches, and endemic species, such as the Pedder galaxias fish, arguing that the flooding submerged approximately 240 square kilometers of pristine wilderness without adequate alternatives for power generation. Public debates intensified in the early 1970s, fueled by growing awareness of ecological costs amid Tasmania's post-World War II hydro-industrial boom, which had already employed thousands in construction but strained natural resources. In March 1972, a protest meeting at Hobart's Town Hall, organized by conservationists including Richard Jones, led to the formation of the United Tasmania Group—the world's first green political party—explicitly opposing the Pedder inundation and broader Hydro-Electric Commission (HEC) plans, including those tied to the Gordon scheme.^[26] A federal Lake Pedder Committee of Inquiry, established in 1973, documented these concerns in its 1974 report, recommending restoration possibilities but ultimately failing to halt the project, as the Tasmanian government prioritized the scheme's projected 300 megawatts of capacity and economic benefits like job creation for over 1,000 workers during Gordon Dam's construction from 1971 to 1977. These debates underscored tensions between development advocates, who cited the need for reliable, low-cost renewable energy to support Tasmania's export-oriented industries, and environmentalists, who contended that short-term gains justified long-term biodiversity erosion without comprehensive impact assessments. The controversy over Pedder's role in the Gordon system presaged larger conflicts, such as the 1980s Franklin Dam blockade, but did not derail the Gordon Dam's completion, which impounded Lake Gordon and began power generation in 1978. Proponents dismissed much opposition as urban-driven interference with rural livelihoods, while detractors leveraged media coverage and petitions to amplify calls for wilderness protection, marking an early shift in Australian public discourse toward environmental realism over unchecked resource exploitation.^[27]

Ecological and Hydrological Impacts

The Gordon Dam has profoundly altered the hydrological regime of the Gordon River, reducing average flows downstream from 101 m³/s upstream to 51 m³/s below the dam through regulated releases for power generation. This modification diminishes peak flood events, which historically transported sediment and maintained channel equilibrium, leading to reduced sediment deposition and shifts in riverbed morphology. Downstream, the lower Gordon River has transitioned from a predominantly depositional environment—stable for millennia, as evidenced by radiocarbon dating of levee sediments—to one exhibiting net erosion since the 1980s, with monitored bank retreat rates of 1–2 cm per year following regulatory interventions on vessel traffic.^[28]^[29] Discharges from the dam have further disrupted estuarine dynamics by flushing the salt wedge intrusion, thereby eliminating tidal salt inputs to adjacent meromictic lakes in the basin, such as Lake Fidler and Lake Morrison. This has destabilized lake stratification: Lake Fidler maintains meromixis but with a deeper chemocline, while others alternate between meromixis and holomixis, altering physico-chemical profiles including dissolved oxygen and temperature regimes critical to water column stability. Such changes reflect the dam's interception of natural freshwater pulses that previously interacted with saline influences, imposing a more uniform, freshwater-dominated hydrology on downstream systems.^[30]^[31] Ecologically, the dam impedes upstream migration of diadromous and potamodromous native fish, including endemic galaxiids like the critically endangered Pedder galaxias (Galaxias pedderensis), confining populations and exacerbating extinction risks through habitat fragmentation. Reservoir creation has enabled colonization by introduced predatory fish species, such as trout, which prey on or compete with natives, while downstream modified flows degrade riparian zones supporting Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) stands and fauna like platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax fleayi). Bioaccumulation of mercury in downstream fish—observed at elevated levels in species like brown trout and short-finned eels—stems from reservoir inundation of organic-rich sediments, releasing methylmercury into the food web. Loss of meromixis in affected lakes has eliminated specialized microbial communities adapted to anoxic monimolimnia, reducing biodiversity in these unique ecosystems.^[28]^[32]^[33]

Operational History and Challenges

Long-Term Performance

The Gordon Power Station, operational since 1977, has maintained consistent reliability as Tasmania's largest hydroelectric facility, with a generating capacity of 432 MW supplied by water from Lake Gordon. It contributes approximately 13.4% of Hydro Tasmania's average annual revenue through electricity generation, reflecting its central role in the state's renewable energy output despite hydrological variability. Refurbishment programs, including turbine and generator upgrades completed in phases through the 2010s and 2020s, have enhanced efficiency and extended asset life, with Hydro Tasmania investing in similar improvements across its portfolio to counter aging infrastructure challenges. These efforts align with broader modernization plans, such as a $1.6 billion commitment over the subsequent decade to optimize existing hydropower assets for sustained performance. Performance metrics are tied to inflow conditions, with the station capable of full operation even during extremes; in March 2016, amid the Tasmanian energy crisis, Lake Gordon's storage fell to a record low of 6.7% usable capacity, yet the facility remained available for generation without structural or mechanical failure. Long-term system data from Hydro Tasmania indicate hydro generation reductions of up to 20.2% in dry years like 2023-24 compared to prior periods, but Gordon's underground design and vertical headrace have minimized downtime from environmental factors. No major outages attributable to the station's core components have been reported over five decades, underscoring its engineering durability, as evidenced by the 50th anniversary recognition of the Gordon Dam in November 2024. Ongoing monitoring and upgrades, including those for dam safety by specialist firms, further support its role in reliable baseload supply within Tasmania's 90% hydro-dependent grid.

2015-2016 Tasmanian Energy Crisis Involvement

During the 2015-2016 Tasmanian energy crisis, which began with record-low rainfall in spring 2015 depleting hydroelectric storages and worsened by the Basslink interconnector's failure on December 20, 2015, the Gordon Dam's Lake Gordon reservoir—holding approximately 7.5 million acre-feet at full supply and forming a core of Hydro Tasmania's 50-station system—experienced critically low levels that constrained generation capacity.^[34] The combined Lake Gordon-Pedder system, integral to the Gordon Power Station's 432 MW output, fell to 9.8% of energy capacity by early March 2016, reflecting inflows far below average due to the driest conditions on record.^[35] This depletion limited turbine operations to preserve residual water, contributing to statewide generation shortfalls of up to 40% at peak demand periods and forcing reliance on $60 million in emergency diesel imports.^[36] Hydro Tasmania's strategy emphasized rationing outflows from major dams including Gordon, with Lake Gordon levels dropping to depths documented as exposing spillway infrastructure, underscoring the reservoir's outsized role in the system's 2,200 MW total capacity.^[34] By April 2016, overall state storages hovered below 15%, with Gordon's basin exemplifying the hydrological strain that halted exports and risked blackouts, as inflows averaged under 20% of long-term medians.^[37] The crisis exposed the interdependence of Tasmania's hydro assets, where Gordon's low volumes—coupled with Basslink outage—amplified vulnerabilities, leading to a $65 million loss for Hydro Tasmania in fiscal 2016 from curtailed operations and ancillary costs.^[38]^[36] Recovery commenced post-Basslink repair in June 2016 and with autumn rains, elevating Gordon-linked storages incrementally; by May 2016, system-wide levels had edged to 13%, though full replenishment to operational minima of 30-40% required sustained precipitation into 2017.^[37]^[39] This episode prompted Hydro Tasmania to revise minimum storage targets upward, highlighting Gordon Dam's strategic weight in balancing drought resilience against export-driven economics in Tasmania's renewable-dominant grid.^[38]

Recognition and Legacy

Engineering Heritage Awards

The Gordon Dam was designated a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia (formerly the Institution of Engineers, Australia) in 2001, as part of the organization's Engineering Heritage Recognition Program, which honors structures of significant technical and historical value to the engineering profession.^[40] This accolade highlights the dam's innovative double-curvature concrete arch design, which enabled efficient construction in remote terrain while achieving a structural height of 140 meters—the tallest such dam in Australia upon completion in 1974.^[41] The recognition plaque, unveiled at the site, emphasizes the dam's role in forming Lake Gordon, Australia's largest hydroelectric storage reservoir with a capacity of 12.4 billion cubic meters, underscoring its contributions to large-scale water impoundment and renewable energy generation.^[4] Engineers Australia's assessment praised the project's engineering challenges, including the use of mass concrete poured in 20-meter lifts to manage thermal stresses and the precise curvature optimized via physical modeling to withstand seismic and hydrostatic loads.^[22] The landmark status reflects the dam's enduring operational reliability over five decades, with minimal maintenance needs despite exposure to Tasmania's harsh southwestern climate, validating the original design's first-principles approach to arch stability and foundation integrity on variably competent bedrock.^[4] No other formal engineering heritage awards specific to the Gordon Dam are documented in official records from Engineers Australia or equivalent bodies, though its inclusion in national surveys of exemplary dams reinforces its benchmark status in Australian civil engineering.^[40]

Contributions to Energy Security and Economy

The Gordon Power Station, powered by water from the Gordon Dam, features three Francis turbines with a combined installed capacity of 432 megawatts, enabling it to generate approximately 13% of Tasmania's annual electricity needs from renewable hydropower sources.^[42]^[43] This output integrates into Hydro Tasmania's broader system, which relies on multi-seasonal storage reservoirs like Lake Gordon to maintain supply reliability during extended dry periods, thereby bolstering the state's energy security against variability in precipitation and demand fluctuations.^[43]^[44] By providing dispatchable baseload and peaking power, the dam enhances Tasmania's role as a net exporter of electricity to the National Electricity Market (NEM), particularly during mainland shortages, as surplus hydropower from facilities including Gordon supports grid stability across interconnected regions.^[45] In the 2023-24 financial year, Hydro Tasmania's operations—underpinned by assets like Gordon—yielded a pre-tax profit of $193.7 million, facilitating a $122 million dividend return to the Tasmanian government for public infrastructure and services.^[46] Economically, the dam's construction in the early 1970s employed hundreds of skilled workers, stimulating regional development in Tasmania's remote southwest, while its ongoing operation sustains technical jobs in maintenance and power generation.^[44] Recent upgrades, such as those extending turbine life, ensure continued revenue from efficient hydropower exports, contributing to Tasmania's economic resilience by diversifying income beyond local consumption and mitigating reliance on volatile fossil fuel imports.^[47]^[18]

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Gordon Dam is a 140m high double-curvature arch dam in southwest Tasmania, completed in 1974, for power generation. Lake Gordon is the largest in Australia.
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On the 25th of November, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gordon Dam—an enduring symbol of Tasmania's pioneering spirit and commitment to renewable ...
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[35]
The Tasmanian “energy crisis”
May 4, 2016 · But the shipments combined with a lack of rainfall in 2015 depleted the volume of water stored behind Tasmania's dams – and then the Basslink ...
[36]
Hydro Tasmania records $65m loss after prolonged energy crisis
Oct 26, 2016 · Hydro was forced to spend $60 million on diesel generators and could not sell power interstate for six months. Aurora Energy will post a profit ...
[37]
Tasmania's water storage levels rise for first time since spring 2015
May 1, 2016 · Dam levels are now at 13 per cent, up 0.2 per cent from last week. The state's two major systems, Lake Gordon and Great Lake have benefitted ...
[38]
[PDF] Hydro Tasmania Annual Report 2016
Record-breaking low rainfall in spring 2015 affected hydropower generation storages. • The prolonged outage of the Basslink interconnector affected our ability.
[39]
Concerns Hydro Tasmania's revised target for dam water storages ...
Oct 5, 2016 · The government business has increased its minimum water storage levels across its dam catchments to 30 per cent.
[40]
[PDF] GORDON DAM NATIONAL ENGINEERING LANDMARK
The dam and power station are associated with the construction of the first road into south- west Tasmania, and with the controversy over the flooding of Lake ...<|separator|>
[41]
Gordon Dam, Gordon River, 1974- | www.engineersaustralia.org.au
This 140 m high concrete arch dam was completed in 1974. it is the highest arch dam in Australia and Lake Gordon is the largest storage in Australia (12.4 ...
[42]
Tasmania's Gordon Dam marks 50 years of hydropower legacy
Nov 28, 2024 · The final bucket of concrete was poured on 25 November 1974, completing Australia's largest arch dam in Tasmania's southwest. Acting CEO Erin ...Missing: techniques | Show results with:techniques
[43]
Tasmania's mighty Gordon Dam turns 50
Nov 25, 2024 · Acting CEO Erin van Maanen said Gordon Dam was a feat of engineering and innovation that established Tasmania as a global leader in hydropower.
[44]
https://www.pulsetasmania.com.au/news/biggest-arch-dam-in-australia-tasmanias-gordon-dam-marks-50-years-since-completion/
[45]
Tasmania could cut its energy bills by prioritising household ... - IEEFA
Mar 28, 2024 · Increasing energy efficiency of Tasmanian buildings can free up more hydroelectricity to be exported to the mainland, generating profits for the ...
[46]
Delivering for Tasmanians: A look back at our annual performance
Dec 10, 2024 · A pre-tax profit of $193.7 million in the 2023-24 financial year will see Hydro Tasmania return a $122 million dividend, to be spent on vital ...
[47]
Gordon gets a new lease on life - Hydro Tasmania
Dec 21, 2018 · The power station has a generating capacity of 450 megawatts or about a fifth of our total generating capacity.Missing: output | Show results with:output