Brogo Dam


Brogo Dam is a minor ungated rockfill embankment dam with an uncontrolled unlined rock cut spillway across the Brogo River upstream of Brogo in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's purpose includes environmental flows, hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. The impounded reservoir is also called Brogo Dam.

Location and features

Commenced in 1964 and completed in 1976, the Brogo Dam is a major dam on the Brogo River, a tributary of the Bega River, and is located approximately northwest of Bega. The dam was built by Citra Constructions Pty Limited on behalf of the New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation to supply water for irrigation and potable water for the towns of Quaama, Cobargo, and Bermagui. The dam supplies water to farmers along the Brogo and Bega rivers for stock and domestic use and irrigation on improved pastures for stock feed. Dairy farming is the main industry in the Bega Valley and the dam ensures a continuous and reliable supply for this activity.
The dam wall comprises of concrete-faced rock fill and is high and is long. The maximum water depth is and at 100% capacity the dam wall holds back of water at AHD. The surface area of Brogo Dam is and the catchment area is. The uncontrolled unlined rock cut spillway is capable of discharging.

Power generation

In 2002, Delta Electricity won the right to construct a mini hydro power station and generate up to of electricity from the flow of the water leaving Brogo Dam.

Recreation

Brogo Dam is stocked with Australian Bass and eels can also be found in the dam's waters. Boating and canoeing on the dam's surface are permitted. The area surrounding the dam has abundant ferns and rock orchids that provide a photographer's paradise.