Blowering Dam and Power Station - NSW

An 80 MW power station generates electricity releasing a steady 2 to 5 GL per day during the irrigation season from Oct to April. With 99% or more of the potential energy of the water converted to electrical energy only a gentle turbulence swirls in the tailwater bay. The same pressure of water discharged from the irrigation outlets vents its kinetic energy in an impressive display even at half the flow of the generator as aeration and turbulence quell the incoming flow in the 7 m deep stilling basin. Finally these waters flow along the tailwater channel and rejoin the riverbed to be carried downstream for irrigation in the Murrumbidgee valley.

In building the power station and valve house concrete is poured between wooden boards known as the formwork. The effect is called board formed concrete and shows up as vertical stripes on the walls. It is a cost effective method although has minor architectural merit. After 50 years the buildings are still functional even if lacking in form.