Copeton Dam

Copeton Dam
Copeton Dam spillway, from the northern side looking west.
Location of the Copeton Dam
in New South Wales
LocationNew England, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates29°54′23″S 150°55′38″E / 29.90639°S 150.92722°E / -29.90639; 150.92722
Purposehydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and water supply
StatusOperational
Construction began1968
Opening date1973
Owner(s)WaterNSW
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsGwydir River
Height113 m (371 ft)
Length1,484 m (4,869 ft)
Width (crest)10.7 m (35 ft)
Dam volume8,547 m3 (301,800 cu ft)
Spillway typeGate-controlled concrete chute spillway
Spillway capacity1,280,000 ML (45,000×10^6 cu ft) per day
Reservoir
CreatesLake Copeton
Total capacity1,364,000 ML (48,200×10^6 cu ft)
Catchment area5,360 km2 (2,070 sq mi)
Surface area4,600 ha (11,000 acres)
Maximum width427 m (1,401 ft)
Maximum water depth104 m (341 ft)
Power Station
Operator(s)AGL Energy
Commission dateDecember 1996 (1996-12)
TypeConventional
Turbines1
Installed capacity21 MW (28,000 hp)
Annual generation54.3 GWh (195 TJ)
Website
Copeton Dam at www.statewater.com.au

Copeton Dam is a major clay core and rock fill embankment dam with nine radial gates and a gated concrete chute spillway across the Gwydir River upstream of Bingara in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's purpose includes environmental flows, hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. The impounded reservoir is called Lake Copeton.