Lake Eucumbene

The mighty Snowy Mountains Authority project post war Australia was and probably remains the biggest infrastructure project this country has ever seen. The tunnels, dams and hydro-electricity power stations, certainly some of the greatest engineering feats seen in this Country.

The flaw in the project from my perspective is that water once released can only be pumped back up just one level. Imagine if water could be pumped all the way back up to the massive header dam of Lake Eucumbene. Imagine if we could fill it (I don't believe it ever has).

What could that do to preserve flow in the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Snowy River.

Makes a bit of sense to me.

We continue to pay lip service to the health of our Major River System

So the Menindee Lakes scenario remains mostly unresolved. The Capital works to consolidate on the major lake in times of drought seems to have waffled all over the place with no serious resolution.

The NSW Government is now going to build a pipeline from the Murray to the Lakes. Great, and so they must to protect Broken Hill.

But here we are creating a greater burden on the Murray which is clearly detrimental to the health of the River and the whole MDB.

It has been announced that a Concentrated Solar Power plant will be built at Port Augusta. Superheated steam from the Sun and Green Energy generated. Now when steam condenses I reckon I have a byproduct called distilled water, drinkable, usable, fresh water.

Back in 2000, I was privy to a feasibility study for a similar project in Whyalla and one of the potential outcomes was that it could not only provide sufficient fresh water for Whyalla it could possibly turn the Morgan/Whyalla pipeline around and service all of those centres along the way, including the Broughton a River irrigation area. 

Why can't this happen with Port Augusta plant? Why is this not being spoken about or considered? 

My sadness, the apathy in dealing with the issue, regardless of financial cost, merely confirms my fear that disinterest in Australia and its environment is crushed over and over again by greed and the power of the almighty dollar.

Broken Hill - Menindee Lakes

Broken Hill is being concerned about Water Supply and considering a pipeline from the Murray amongst other things. Some years ago there was considerable funds allocated to improve the management of the Menindee Lakes and minimise evaporation of this valuable resource. The work could not be done as the Darling flooded and has not been completed. It is my understanding that the money is still on the table. Get on with the job and stop looking at the Murray as the saviour.

Why has such an important project not been completed. We talk and talk about what we are are really doing about the Murray Darling Basin, the drought cycle will return and this important project has just been overlooked.

Water Harvesting along the Balonne

An interesting article from Crikey - wonder if anyone is listening

Follow this Link

Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority

I am really wondering what effect the need for spinning reserve in the Snowy Hydro scheme is affecting water flow. Spinning Reserve defined here http://tinyurl.com/473a3sd. Also wondering whether this whole control of our Murray Darling headwaters is even considered by the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Looking for the Murray Darling Basin Public Submissions

Looking for the Murray Darling Basin Public Submissions
You can find them here - it gives a chance to understand the diversity of the problem

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3.30pm 4/1/2011 leaving my home by boat.Measuring 13M, 6ks do... on Twitpic

3.30pm 4/1/2011 leaving my home by boat.Measuring 13M, 6ks do... on Twitpic

Twitter friend of mine have to leave home by boat. She lives in the shadow of water harvesting levees that have been indiscriminately built.