Lake Gordon

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Gordon
image_lake = Gordon Dam.jpg
caption_lake = The 140 metre high concrete arch Gordon Dam, built in 1974 with Lake Gordon Behind
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Tasmania
coords = coord|42|57|S|146|10|E|region:AU_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow =
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catchment =
basin_countries = Australia
length =
width =
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depth =
max-depth =
volume = 12,500,000 ML
residence_time =
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cities =
frozen =

Lake Gordon is the name of a lake created by the Gordon River Dam on the upper reaches of the Gordon River in south west Tasmania.

The lake was created in the early 1970s for hydroelectric power by the Hydro Electricity Commission (HEC). It was the largest and most controversial hydro-electric power schemes in Tasmania. [ McKenry, Keith (1972) "A History and critical analysis of the controversy concerning the Gordon River Power Scheme" pp.9 - 39 in Australian Conservation Foundation (1972)" Pedder Papers - Anatomy of a Decision" Parkville, Vic. Australian Conservation Foundation ]

Lake Gordon has a storage capacity of 12.5 cubic kilometres of water (12.5 billion tonnes), the equivalent of 25 Sydney Harbours.

Lake Gordon is connected with the (new) Lake Pedder which supplies additional water for the Gordon power station.

Additional dams were proposed for the lower Gordon River, but were not proceeded with due to a challenge by the Federal government - see the Franklin Dam for details.

ee also

*Lake Pedder

References