Lake Burragorang

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Burragorang
image_lake = lake burragorang aerial.jpg
caption_lake = from the air (April 2006)
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
coords = coord|34|0|S|150|26|E|type:waterbody_region:AU|display=inline,title
type = Dammed water supply lake
inflow = Coxs, Kowmung, Nattai, Wingecarribee, and Wollondilly Rivers
outflow = Warragamba River
catchment = 9,051 km²
basin_countries = Australia
length = 52 km
width =
area = 75 km²
depth =
max-depth = 105 m
volume = 2,031 GL
residence_time =
shore = 354 km
elevation = 110 m
islands =
cities =

Lake Burragorang is the water storage impounded by Warragamba Dam. It collects the waters of the Coxs, Kowmung, Nattai, Wingecarribee, and Wollondilly Rivers. It is the major water storage for Sydney, Australia. It is located in the heart of the Blue Mountains, within the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site.

Capacity

The reservoir's usable capacity is 2,027,000,000,000 L. Before the Deep Water Storage Recovery project completed in April 2006, the usable capacity was 1,857,000,000,000 L.

There are fears, however, that population pressures may stretch the reservoir's ability to furnish Sydneysiders with needed water well into the 21st century [http://www.population.org.au/pressrm/pub/Coxs_River_Carrying_Capacity.pdf] . The city's population is rising by about 50,000 every year, and water restrictions were imposed late in 2003; a serious drought would complicate matters.

There have been times when the lake has been seriously depleted. Since it was last full in 1998 the Warragamba Dam catchment area has experienced extremely low rainfall, and on 8 Feb 2007 the lake recorded an all time low of 32.5% of capacity [ [http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams/296.html Sydney Catchment Authority - Bulk Water Storage & Supply Report 8 Feb 2007] ] . Much as with the rest of Australia, if Sydney's water supply runs out it would be a major economic disaster for the entire country.

Public Access

Lake Burragorang is surrounded by a 3 km wide exclusion zone to protect the integrity of the water supply, access into this zone is restricted. There are two access corridors for bushwalkers: Mount Mouin to Mount Cooke & Belloon Pass to Yerranderie. Limited public vehicle access is allowed on fire trail W4 from Sheahy's Creek to Yerranderie.

Power Station

A hydroelectric power station at Warragamba Dam begins operating once the level in the reservoir reaches to within one metre of full capacity. Its output is 50 MW, but the dam water level has not been high enough for it to operate since 1998.

In the upper left corner of the view (below) looking roughly southeastwards are Sydney's western suburbs. A crooked corridor of development may also be seen leading through the forested mountains to the inland towns of Katoomba and Blackheath (near the centre) and beyond.

Lake Burragorang statistics

* Available storage (when full): 2,027,000 ML (note: the lowest depths have recently become available for supply)
* Total capacity (when full): 2,031,000 ML
* Surface area: 75 km²
* Length of lake: 52 km
* Length of foreshores: 354 km
* Deepest point: 105 m
* Catchment area: 9,051 km²
* Average annual rainfall: 840 mm

References

External links

* [http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams/warragamba.html Sydney Catchment Authority - Warragamba Dam]
* [http://www.iliveinsydney.com/water/damstats.php Sydney's Dam Levels - current statistics and graphs]