Suma Park Dam is a concrete arch dam across the Summer Hill Creek in the central west region of New South Wales, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is to supply potable water to the city of Orange. The impounded reservoir is called Suma Park Reservoir.

Suma Park Dam
Suma Park Reservoir, viewed from Icley Road
Suma Park Dam is located in New South Wales
Suma Park Dam
Location of the Suma Park Dam
in New South Wales
CountryAustralia
LocationCentral West, New South Wales
Coordinates33°16′54″S 149°08′04″E / 33.28167°S 149.13444°E / -33.28167; 149.13444
PurposeWater supply
StatusOperational
Opening date1962
Operator(s)Orange City Council
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch dam
ImpoundsSummer Hill Creek
Height31 metres (102 ft)
Length208 metres (682 ft)
Width (crest)2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in)
Dam volume18 cubic metres (640 cu ft)
Spillways1
Spillway capacity260 cubic metres per second (9,200 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesSuma Park Reservoir
Total capacity17,290 megalitres (611×10^6 cu ft)
Catchment area179 square kilometres (69 sq mi)
Surface area1.3 square kilometres (0.50 sq mi)
Website
watersecurity.orange.nsw.gov.au

Location and features

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The dam is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Orange; with the secondary water source, Spring Creek Reservoir, located to the south-east of Orange. Built in 1962, Suma Park Dam is owned and maintained by Orange City Council. Prior to the construction of Suma Park Dam, Lake Canobolas (then known as Meadow Creek Dam) on the Molong Creek was also used as a domestic water source.

The Suma Park Dam 18 cubic metres (640 cu ft) concrete wall is 31 metres (102 ft) high and the arch crest is 208 metres (682 ft) long, with a crest width of 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in). At 100% capacity the dam wall holds back 17,290 megalitres (611×10^6 cu ft) of water. The surface area of Suma Park Reservoir is 1.3 square kilometres (0.50 sq mi) and the catchment area is 179 square kilometres (69 sq mi). The uncontrolled 62 metres (203 ft) spillway is capable of discharging 260 cubic metres per second (9,200 cu ft/s).[1][2]

Upgrade

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Surveillance and dam safety inspections are conducted regularly by the Orange City Council. In 2005 and 2010,[3] the dam overflowed.[4] In 2011, the Council published a report giving options for raising the height of the dam.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Suma Park Dam". Water Security. Orange City Council. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  3. ^ Shields, Bevan (27 August 2010). "Suma Park Dam flood warning". Central Western Daily. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Suma Park Dam overflowing sparks fresh calls for wall to be raised" (video). Yahoo News UK. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Options for raising Suma Park Dam" (PDF). Council meeting minutes. Orange City Council. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
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