The Clyde Dam is a remarkable feat of modern engineering and an indispensable part of New Zealand’s power system. Its construction took place from 1979 to 1993, with the first station generator commissioned in 1992. During the peak of its construction, the Clyde dam site employed as many as 1,200 workers.
The Clyde Dam is one of the biggest concrete gravity dams in New Zealand. It comprises a staggering one million cubic meters of concrete. It’s super tall, standing at 100 meters high, and has a base that’s 70 meters wide. At the top, it’s only 10 meters wide but stretches out over an impressive 490 meters.
What Town Was Flooded For Clyde Dam?
Cromwell Gorge, situated 34 km (21 miles) northwest of Alexandra, was once home to several orchards and houses. The town is located at the convergence of the Kawarau and Clutha rivers. However, in 1993, the town was flooded by the creation of Lake Dunstan, which was formed by damming the Clutha River at Clyde, 27 km (16.7 miles) downstream.
Dunstan Lake
Lake Dunstan is an artificial lake that came into existence after the completion of the Clyde Dam on the Clutha River. The lake covers an area of 26.4 square kilometers (10.1 square miles) and was created in four controlled stages between April 1992 and the following year. To construct the lake, a part of the town of Cromwell had to be relocated to a new area above it.
The lake is a vital source of irrigation for nearby stone fruit orchards and vineyards. It is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy various water activities like boating, canoeing, water skiing, jet boating, boat cruises, and eco-tours.
The Cromwell Gorge, located between the town of Cromwell and the Clyde Dam, is about 7 km (4.3 miles) long and is famous for its steep cliffs and towering mountains. It is a well-known tourist spot for its scenic lake views and surrounding landscape.
The dam’s construction was a topic of national attention due to geological issues. At Cairnmuir, a series of bluffs overlooking the gorge where the dam was built, at least one landslide was recorded, causing delays in the dam’s construction. This added to the already high project cost. However, all parties involved denied responsibility for not discovering the issue, making it a controversial topic to this day.
Is Clyde Dam Worth Visiting?
On our road trip to the South Island of New Zealand this summer, we stopped at Clyde on our way to Cromwell. Clyde is a small town located at Central Otago’s heart with a stunning landscape. We noticed many cyclists on the road during our trip, which made us wonder why. As it turns out, a 152 km (94.4 miles) Trail runs in an arc through the valleys between Middlemarch and Clyde, and you can traverse it in either direction or do part of the Trail.
The landscapes in Central Otago are truly impressive, both before and after Clyde. So why not stop and visit Clyde?
