Meadowbank Lake Drawdown Planned

Hydro Tasmania is planning to undertake maintenance work on the spillway gates at Meadowbank Lake in early May and this will require the water level in the Lake to be drawn down to the bottom of its operating range.

The drawdown will commence on 1 May with the plan to reach 6.09 metres (20 feet) below full supply level by the morning of 5 May. Refilling will start on 6 May and the lake level is expected to be back in its typical range by 10 May.

Hydro Tasmania wishes to advise residents and members of the public not to access the lake during the works, due to the potentially unsafe condition of the lake bed. Hydro also recommends to people who draw water from the lake to ensure that water tanks and other storages are filled prior to 1 May.

Over the past 20 years, Hydro has maintained the water level at Meadowbank Lake near the top of its operating range. Hence the installation of pumps and other water supply infrastructure over this time has been based primarily on this lake level regime. The proposed drawdown, therefore, is likely to inconvenience property owners who draw water from the lake as well as affecting other lake users.

Hydro has recognised the importance of keeping people informed about the works and consulting with the community, despite having no real responsibility for the supply of household water. It commenced a community consultation process earlier this year with a public meeting at Ouse. As a result of this, a number of stakeholder issues were identified and Hydro intends to respond to these during the current works and in any future drawdown incidents. One of the issues relates to vegetation and tree snag clearing, which will be investigated while the lake level is low.

Hydro wishes to thank all residents who assisted by providing information on existing water supplies. For further information about the works or to raise concerns during the works, please contact Rob Bell at Hydro Tasmania on 6230 5810 or mobile 0428 995 109 or email rob.bell@hydro.com.au.