Keepit Dam
Template:Use Australian EnglishTemplate:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox dam Keepit Dam is a major gated mass concrete gravity dam with an earth fill abutment and a central gated concrete overflow crest and six radial gate spillways across the Namoi River upstream of its junction with the Peel River in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's purpose includes flood mitigation, hydro-power, irrigation, water supply and conservation. The impounded reservoir is called Lake Keepit.
Location and features
Commenced in 1939, with construction halted during World War II, and completed in 1960, the Keepit Dam is a major dam on the Namoi River, located approximately Template:Convert west of Tamworth and Template:Convert north-east of Gunnedah, upstream of the confluence of the Namoi and Peel rivers. The dam was built by the New South Wales Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission to supply water for irrigation, flood mitigation and potable water for the town of Walgett.<ref name=brochure>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ancold>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=SW>Template:Cite web</ref>
The dam wall height is Template:Convert and is Template:Convert long. The maximum water depth is Template:Convert and at 100% capacity the dam wall holds back Template:Convert of water at Template:Convert AHD. The surface area of Lake Keepit is Template:Convert and the catchment area is Template:Convert. The central gated overflow crest and six radial gates of the spillway are capable of discharging Template:Convert.<ref name=brochure /><ref name=ancold /><ref name=SW /> An A$146.6 million upgrade of facilities commenced in 2009 and resulted in the construction of two spillways and three saddle dams, completed during 2011. A further upgrade is due to commence in 2014 for completion by 2016 that will involve raising the height of the main dam wall by Template:Convert and enhancing post tension in the concrete section of the wall.<ref name=upgrade2012>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=upgradeSW>Template:Cite web</ref>
Keepit Dam is operated in conjunction with Split Rock Dam. The two dams supply water requirements along much of the Namoi Valley, used for irrigation including cotton, cereal and wheat crops, lucerne, fodder and pasture, vegetables, vines, orchards and oil seeds.<ref name=brochure />
Power generation
Template:Main A hydro-electric power station generates up to Template:Convert<ref name=eraring /> of electricity from the flow of the water leaving Keepit Dam with an average output of Template:Convert per annum.<ref name=brochure /> The station was completed in 1960 and upgraded in 1983. The facility is managed by Meridian Energy Template:Webarchive.<ref name=eraring>Template:Cite web</ref>
Etymology
The name Keepit originates after a riverside property called Keypit or Keepit, resumed for part of the storage area.<ref name=brochure /> The word probably means 'keep it', a derogatory remark about the apparent worthlessness of the pastoral run.<ref name=gnb>Template:NSW GNR</ref>
Recreation
The area surrounding Lake Keepit is used for local recreation including camping, picnics, swimming, boating, sailing, water skiing<ref name=brochure /> and fishing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The lakeshore is the location of Lake Keepit Soaring Club, the second largest gliding club by membership in Australia.
See also
- Chaffey Dam
- Meridian Energy Template:Webarchive
- Irrigation in Australia
- List of dams and reservoirs in New South Wales
- Split Rock Dam