Deep within Victoria, lies the Upper Yarra Reservoir. It stands as a testament to Melbourne’s water security. This reservoir stores water transferred from the Thomson River Dam. It is essential for supplying the upper Yarra Valley towns. It also feeds Silvan Reservoir, which quenches the thirst of most of Melbourne.
The story of the Upper Yarra Reservoir begins long before its completion in 1957. The management of Melbourne’s forested water catchments was vested in the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in 1891. This included areas like the Watts. The Upper Yarra catchment was permanently added for water supply in 1928.
Approval to construct the Upper Yarra Reservoir was granted in the early 1940s. World War II delayed the start of construction until 1948. Imagine the anticipation building as the project finally commenced. When completed, the Upper Yarra Reservoir tripled Melbourne’s water storage capacity. It went up to nearly 300,000 megalitres.
The Upper Yarra Reservoir boasts a capacity of 200,000 megalitres. It was initially designed to prevent flooding downstream. The dam is an earthfill and rockfill embankment. It stretches 610 metres in length. Its height reaches 90 metres.
Severe drought in 2007 saw the reservoir’s water levels plummet. On January 5, 2007, it was approximately half full. But by September 26, 2021, the reservoir was 92.8 percent full. It held 186,060 megalitres of water.
The Upper Yarra Reservoir has a catchment area of 33,670 hectares. Its surface area spans 750 hectares. The average depth is 27 metres. The maximum depth reaches 77 metres.
Access to the protected water supply catchment is strictly prohibited. Offenders face prosecution under the Water Act 1989. Entry is permitted on public roads. These are Warburton Woods Point, Nine Mile Rd, Toorongo Rd and 40 Mile Break/Road 20.
Melbourne Water continually reviews protected catchments. They determine if more areas can be opened to the public. This must be balanced with protecting the drinking water. It ensures the safety of the community.
The Upper Yarra Reservoir stands as a crucial component of Melbourne’s water supply system. It is filled by rainfall and the Thomson River. From here, water is transferred to Silvan Reservoir. It can also supply townships along the way. The Upper Yarra Reservoir ensures Melbourne receives some of the highest-quality drinking water in the world.