The Clyde Dam

(Photograph by J R Butler)

According to Tourism.net.nz :

"Clyde Dam is the largest concrete gravity dam in New Zealand consisting of one million cubic metres of concrete. It's height is 100 metres, width at base is 70 metres, width at crest 10 metres and length at crest 490 metres.

Controversy surrounded the building of the dam, which saw a number of orchards and houses removed from the Cromwell Gorge to allow the flooding of the river valley. The lake formed by the dam, Lake Dunstan, is 26.4 square kilometres in size. Its recreational uses include water-skiing, boating, canoeing, jet boating, boat cruises and eco-tours of the abundant fish and bird life."

(Photograph by J R Butler)

(Photograph by J R Butler)

(Photograph by J R Butler)


(Photograph by J R Butler)


(Photograph by J R Butler)

Take a stroll from the Bank Cafe to the Dam Lookout.

 

 

 

There are currently no regular guided tours of the dam. For further information visit, for example

'Keeping in Contact'

Opening a spillway
(Video by Michael Scarsbrook)


(Photograph by Mark Grimward)


(Photograph by J R Butler)

(Photograph by J R Butler)

The dam actually consists of two separate dams leaning on each other. The photograph above is taken in the gap between the two dams.

(Photograph by J R Butler)

The photograph above is taken looking up the gap between the two dams.

(Photograph by J R Butler)

(Photograph by J R Butler)

 

The waters of Lake Dunstan frequently provide lovely reflections

Recently Contact Energy erected a new information kiosk at the dam lookout.

 

 
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