Maroondah Reservoir
Encyclopedia
The Maroondah Reservoir is a small reservoir used to supply water to Melbourne
, Victoria.
Constructed in the 1920s by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
, it is a concrete gravity dam. It is now operated by Melbourne Water
.
Like most of Melbourne's water storages, the entire catchment is eucalypt forest completely closed to human activity, as is the reservoir itself. Immediately below the wall, the Maroondah Reservoir Park
features a large garden landscaped in an "English style", featuring many exotic plants very different to the surrounding native vegetation.
A walking track leads across the dam wall, over the spillway, and up to a lookout from which much of the reservoir can be viewed.
and Toorourrong
schemes.
The Maroondah Aqueduct was build in 1886–1881 to supply water to the Preston Reservoir from a diversion weir on the Watts River
. The level for the aqueduct was determined by the site of the proposed Maroondah Reservoir. Preparatory work for the dam was undertaken during the period 1915–1919. Construction commenced in October 1920 and was completed in 1927. During this period the capacity of the Maroondah Aqueduct was increased.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria.
Constructed in the 1920s by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works
The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works was a public utility board in Melbourne, Australia set up to provide water supply, sewerage and sewage treatment functions for the city...
, it is a concrete gravity dam. It is now operated by Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water is a government owned statutory authority that controls much of the water system in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia including the reservoirs, and thesewerage and drainage system that services the city.- Overview :...
.
Like most of Melbourne's water storages, the entire catchment is eucalypt forest completely closed to human activity, as is the reservoir itself. Immediately below the wall, the Maroondah Reservoir Park
features a large garden landscaped in an "English style", featuring many exotic plants very different to the surrounding native vegetation.
A walking track leads across the dam wall, over the spillway, and up to a lookout from which much of the reservoir can be viewed.
History
The Maroondah scheme was the third water supply source for Melbourne, following the Yan YeanYan Yean Reservoir
Yan Yean Reservoir is the oldest water supply for the city of Melbourne, Australia. It is built on the Plenty River a tributary of the Yarra River, 30 km north of the city. A 9.5 metre embankment holds back 30,000 megalitres of water...
and Toorourrong
Toorourrong Reservoir
Toorourrong Reservoir is a small reservoir located on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range approximately north of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is operated by Melbourne Water and forms part of the Melbourne water supply system...
schemes.
The Maroondah Aqueduct was build in 1886–1881 to supply water to the Preston Reservoir from a diversion weir on the Watts River
Watts River
The Watts River is a tributary of the Yarra River. It rises on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, north east of Healesville, Victoria, Australia and joins the Yarra River near Healesville...
. The level for the aqueduct was determined by the site of the proposed Maroondah Reservoir. Preparatory work for the dam was undertaken during the period 1915–1919. Construction commenced in October 1920 and was completed in 1927. During this period the capacity of the Maroondah Aqueduct was increased.