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Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme

irrigation project, Australia
Also known as: Snowy Mountains Project

Quick Summary

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme is a major engineering project in southeastern New South Wales, Australia, constructed between 1949 and 1974. It is located in the Snowy Mountains, which are part of the Australian Alps and include Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak.1

The scheme diverts water from rivers like the Snowy, Murray, and Murrumbidgee through aqueducts and tunnels. This water is used for both electricity generation and irrigation. The project includes 16 dams and several reservoirs, with a power capacity of 3,740 megawatts. While initially celebrated, environmental concerns have led to discussions about returning some of the Snowy River's natural flow.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Snowy Mountains
  2. Snowy River

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