Water Supply
Moondarra is the principal water supply system for
Latrobe
Valley . It is also supplies major industry in the region. The reservoir has a capacity of 30,300 megalitres (ML), which is slightly less than half the amount of water consumed annually. The total annual demand on Moondarra is 64,000 ML. (One megalitre = 1,000,000 Litres). .jpg)
Moondarra Reservoir is nestled in the foothills of the
Baw
Baw
Ranges , approximately a ten minute drive out of the
township of
Erica . In years of drought Gippsland Water has some drought relief storage that is available to top up Moondarra. A pipeline runs from
Blue
Rock
Lake to Moondarra.
Moondarra yields a good quality raw water supply, which is attributable to it being a controlled catchment. The entire catchment spans 275 sq km. The water produced by Moondarra requires some treatment by a water treatment plant to make it safe for drinking. The end product is a drinking water supply that is of high quality for household use which fully complies with World Health Organisation Drinking Water Guidelines.
| Reservoir statistics |
|
| Capacity |
30,300 Ml
|
| Surface area |
242 Ha
|
| Maximum depth |
35m
|
| Catchment area |
275 sq km
|
| |
|
| Embankment statistics |
|
| Height |
41.2m
|
| Length of crest |
335.5m
|
| Width of crest |
7.6m
|
| |
|
| Spillway |
|
| Free overall crest width |
113.0m
|
| Peak overflow |
138,000 Ml/day (Tyers River)
|
| Peak reservoir level |
170.5m
|
| Height of crest/overflow |
166.16m
|
Recreation at Moondarra 
Moondarra Reservoir's recreation facilities lie within a beautifully landscaped park setting. Large native and European trees shade the picnic and barbecue areas, which overlook the Reservoir. Public toilets are provided with facilities for the handicapped. The park also features three picturesque nature trails, which range from a pleasant ten minute walk to a four hour hike through the bush land surrounding. The Cecil Inn is located in the picnic grounds. It is the former tavern that served the township of Gould. The building was located on the floor of the Reservoir and Gippsland Water salvaged and restored it, placing it where it is located today. The Cecil Inn is available for group bookings. A key can be arranged by contacting Gippsland Water.
Access to the shores of Moondarra is prohibited as the reservoir provides the regions drinking water and must be protected from contamination, to ensure the health of the community is protected.
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