Meander Dam

Meander Dam
Location of the Meander Dam in Tasmania
CountryAustralia
LocationNorthern Tasmania
Coordinates41°41′30″S 146°37′14″E / 41.69167°S 146.62056°E / -41.69167; 146.62056
PurposeIrrigation; Power
StatusOperational
Opening dateNovember 2007 (2007-11)
Construction costA$24 million
Owner(s)Tasmanian Irrigation (TI) Pty Ltd
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsMeander River
Height50 m (160 ft)
Length170 m (560 ft)
Elevation at crest402 metres (1,319 ft) AHD
Dam volume85 thousand cubic metres (3.0×10^6 cu ft)
Spillways1
Spillway typeUncontrolled centrally located conventional spillway
Reservoir
CreatesLake Huntsman
Total capacity43,000 megalitres (1,500×10^6 cu ft)
Active capacity36,000 megalitres (1,300×10^6 cu ft)
Catchment area163 km2 (63 sq mi)
Surface area45.3 hectares (112 acres)
Huntsman Lake Power Station
Operator(s)Tyco Tamar
Commission dateFebruary 2008 (2008-02)
TypeConventional
Hydraulic head42 m (138 ft)
Turbines1 x 1.95 MW (2,610 hp) double-Francis-type
Installed capacity1.95 MW (2,610 hp)

The Meander Dam is a concrete gravity dam across the Upper Meander River, located in northern Tasmania, Australia. The impounded reservoir is called Lake Huntsman.

The dam was constructed in 2006 by the Tasmanian Rivers & Water Supply Commission for the principal purpose of delivering a reliable supply of irrigation water to the Meander Valley, estimated at 44,200 hectares (109,000 acres). Adjacent to the dam is a small conventional hydroelectric power station.