Snowy mountain water transfer scheme Flashcards
advantages of snowy mountain scheme
it delivers farmers of New South Wales over 2.5 mega litres of water per year
collects and stores the water that would normally flow east to the coast and is released into Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers for irrigation
goes through huge turbines which generate hydroelectricity and reduces CO2 emission by 5 million tonnes a year
The water transfer project operates in the Kosciuszko national park and there are careful conservation projects to sustain the natural environment and endangered species
water is transferred westwards through tunnel and river systems to be used for irrigation in agricultural areas in New South Wales - it helps 75% of all irrigated land in Australia which produces $8 billion of agricultural products
The scheme provides 980,000 mega litres of water annually
The scheme has also facilitated access for 3 million visitors by road servicing the scheme (US$118 million a year) as well as associated employment opportunities
disadvantages of snowy mountain scheme
the snowy river has been reduced to 1% of its natural flow resulting in loss of wetland habitat, silting up of the river channel, invasion by exotic trees, salt water intrusion in the estuary and loss of migratory fish populations
temperatures in the Australian Alps where the snow falls are increasing by 0.4 degrees per decade and climate change projections for the Australian Alps indicate the hottest summer days will be around 5 degrees in 2100 and minimum temperatures will rise by 3-6 degrees, precipitation will decrease by up to 20% with less falling as snow so less water will be available to the scheme in the future
where is the snowy river scheme
south east australia
features of the snowy river scheme
5000 square km
16 major dams
145km of tunnels
7 power stations
transfers westwards for irrigation
why is the snowy river scheme good for capturing and storing water
the great dividing range is very high up
there is loss of snowmelt and rainfall
history of snowy river scheme
it started in 1949
over 100,000 people were required to plan, design and build the project
people came from over 30 countries to build roads, tunnels, dams and power stations
finished in 1974
