Chaffey Dam
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Chaffey Dam
| name_official =
| image = chaffey_dam_spillway.JPG
| image_size = 270px
| image_caption = Chaffey Dam (pre upgrade) at 77% capacity, in 2008.
| image_alt =
| location_map = New South Wales
| location_map_size = 270px
| location_map_caption = Location of Chaffey Dam in
New South Wales
| coordinates = {{coord|31|20|45|S|151|08|19|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
| purpose = Flood mitigation, irrigation, water supply, and water conservation
| status = O
| construction_began = {{Start date|1976|08|df=y}}
| opening = {{Start date|1979|09|df=y}}
| demolished =
| cost =
| owner = State Water Corporation
| dam_type = E
| dam_height = {{convert|55.8|m}}
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_length = {{convert|430|m}}
| dam_width_crest = {{convert|8|m}}
| dam_width_base = {{convert|195|m}}
| dam_volume = {{convert|1413|m3}}
| dam_elevation_crest =
| dam_crosses = Peel River
| spillway_count = 1
| spillway_type = Morning glory
| spillway_capacity = {{convert|903|m3/s}}
| res_name =
| res_capacity_total = {{convert|102868|ML}}
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment = {{convert|420|km2}}
| res_surface = {{convert|542|ha}}
| res_elevation = {{convert|518|m}} AHD
| res_max_depth = {{convert|30|m}}
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| website = {{URL|http://www.waternsw.com.au/supply/visit/chaffey-dam|Chaffey Dam at www.waternsw.com.au}}
| extra =
}}
Chaffey Dam is a minor ungated rock fill with clay core embankment dam with an uncontrolled morning glory spillway across the Peel River, located upstream of the city of Tamworth, in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's purpose includes flood mitigation, irrigation, water supply, and water conservation.
Location and features
Commenced in August 1976 and completed in September 1979, the Chaffey Dam is a minor dam on the Peel River, a tributary of the Namoi River, approximately {{convert|16|km}} north of Nundle and {{convert|44|km}} south-east of Tamworth.{{NSW GNR |id=JPKqZxWAMn |title=Chaffey Dam |date=10 March 1978 |accessdate=14 April 2013}} Water from the dam is released directly into the Peel River which is used by irrigators downstream of the dam, and for water supply of the city of Tamworth.{{cite web|url=http://www.statewater.com.au/_Documents/Dam%20brochures/Chaffey%20Dam%20Brochure.pdf|format=PDF brochure|title=Chaffey Dam|publisher=State Water Corporation|year=2009|access-date=14 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320045111/http://statewater.com.au/_Documents/Dam%20brochures/Chaffey%20Dam%20Brochure.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2012}}
The dam wall comprises {{convert|1413|m3}} of rock fill is {{convert|55.8|m|ft}} high and is {{convert|430|m|ft}} long. The maximum water depth is {{convert|30|m}} and at 100% capacity the dam wall holds back {{convert|62830|ML}} of water at {{convert|518|m}} AHD. The surface area of the reservoir is {{convert|542|ha}} and the catchment area is {{convert|420|km2}}.
The dam uses an unusual concrete morning glory bell-shaped uncontrolled spillway which is capable of discharging {{convert|903|m3/s}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.statewater.com.au/Water%20delivery/Dams/Chaffey%20Dam |title=Chaffey Dam |work=Water delivery: Dams |publisher=State Water Corporation |access-date=14 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410023745/http://www.statewater.com.au/Water%20delivery/Dams/Chaffey%20Dam |archive-date=10 April 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls|format=Excel (requires download)|title=Register of Large Dams in Australia|publisher=The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated|year=2010|access-date=22 April 2013|work=Dams information|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212120804/http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls|url-status=dead}} The spillway measures {{convert|25.81|m}} in diameter and tapers down to {{convert|7.72|m}}. The spillway tower is {{convert|35.1|m}} high.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
Chaffey Dam provides valuable public recreation including swimming, sailing, boating and fishing.
=Upgrade of facilities=
An A$13 million upgrade of Chaffey Dam commenced during 2010 that involved the construction of a {{convert|35|m}} auxiliary spillway with release plug, funded by the Government of New South Wales and was completed in early 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.statewater.com.au/current%20projects/Dam%20safety%20upgrades/Chaffey%20upgrade|title=Chaffey upgrade|work=Projects: Dam safety upgrades|publisher=State Water Corporation|access-date=14 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410212511/http://www.statewater.com.au/current%20projects/Dam%20safety%20upgrades/Chaffey%20upgrade|archive-date=10 April 2013}} A second stage A$43.33 million augmentation commenced in 2013, funded by the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Tamworth Regional Council. This augmentation is expected to be completed during 2014 and involves raising the dam wall by {{convert|8|m}} and subsequent works to raise the morning glory spillway and bridge deck. These works will increase the full supply level of the dam by {{convert|6.5|m}}, the dam's capacity from {{convert|62|GL}} to {{convert|100|GL}} and ensure it can withstand the maximum possible flood. The project also involves a realignment of roads on the western foreshore; the Tamworth-Nundle Road, and River Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.statewater.com.au/current%20projects/Dam%20safety%20upgrades/Chaffey%20Dam%20augmentation|title=Chaffey Dam augmentation|work=Projects: Dam safety upgrades|publisher=State Water Corporation|access-date=14 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410212609/http://www.statewater.com.au/current%20projects/Dam%20safety%20upgrades/Chaffey%20Dam%20augmentation|archive-date=10 April 2013}}
=Etymology=
The dam is named in honor of Frank Chaffey, who represented Tamworth in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1913 and 1940, and his son, [[Bill Nye
|Bill]], who represented the same seat between 1940 and 1973.
Gallery
Chaffeydam.jpg|Chaffey Dam as viewed from lookout on Nundle Road, 2008.
Chaffey Dam 21042018.jpg|Lower section of wall, April 2018.
Chaffey Dam Spillway 21042018.jpg|Spillway post upgrade, April 2018.
See also
{{stack|{{portal|New South Wales|Water}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Chaffey Dam}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ieo/Namoi/maplg.htm|title=Namoi River catchment|format=map|work=Office of Environment and Heritage|publisher=Government of New South Wales}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.nnsw.com.au/chaffeydam/index.html|title=Information about Chaffey Dam|date=July 2008|work=Your information guide to Northern NSW|access-date=14 April 2013}}
{{WaterNSW |state=autocollapse}}
Category:Dams in New South Wales
Category:Dams completed in 1979