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newzealand.com
Clyde Dam, the largest concrete gravity dam in New Zealand. The lake formed by the dam, Lake Dunstan, is 26.4 square km in size.
The Man-Made Fascination of Clyde Dam and Lake Dunstan. Clyde Dam is the largest concrete gravity dam in New Zealand consisting of one million cubic metres of concrete. It's height is 100m, width at base is 70m, width at crest 10m and length at crest 490m. 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. The lake extends from the historical township of Clyde through the Cromwell Gorge to Cromwell township, with one arm travelling up the Kawarau River to Bannockburn and the other widening out over the Lowburn Flats.
By Peta Bamber