What was the Snowy Mountains Scheme?
The Snowy Mountains Scheme was a huge hydroelectric and irrigation project built in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales between 1949 and 1974. It is one of the largest engineering projects ever undertaken in Australia.
The scheme diverted water from the Snowy River and other rivers westward through tunnels under the mountains. The water generates electricity and then flows into the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers for irrigation.
It includes 16 major dams, seven power stations and around 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts.
Built by migrants
More than 100,000 people from over 30 countries worked on the scheme. Many were post-war migrants from Europe, and the project played a major role in shaping multicultural Australia.
The work was difficult and dangerous, and around 121 workers died during construction. Towns such as Cabramurra and Khancoban were built to house workers.
The scheme is now operated by Snowy Hydro, a government-owned company. A major expansion called Snowy 2.0 has been under construction to add pumped-hydro energy storage. The Snowy Mountains Scheme is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.