Upper Yarra Reservoir, lake in Australia
Upper Yarra Reservoir is a large water storage facility near Warburton in Victoria that serves as the main water supply source for the Yarra Valley and Melbourne. Built in 1957, the earth and rock dam stands about 90 meters high and stretches over 600 meters in length, holding more than 200,000 megalitres of water that flows from the surrounding forested catchment.
The reservoir was constructed in 1957 with an earth and rock dam to meet growing water demands for Melbourne. A small workers' settlement once stood at the site during construction, and the remnants of the old McVeigh Water Wheel recall earlier power generation activities in the area.
The Wurundjeri People hold deep ties to this land and its water, forming a foundation for understanding its cultural significance. Today, visitors experience this connection through walks in the native bushland, where towering eucalyptus and tree ferns create the feeling of walking through country that has been cared for over countless generations.
The park is easily reached from Melbourne by driving through Lilydale and Warburton, with gates controlling entry from early morning to evening. Camping sites require advance booking, and visitors should know the area offers no electrical hookups, with cooking done on provided barbecues and fireplaces.
The Fern Gully Track is a 500-meter loop walk through towering trees that takes about twenty minutes and reveals dense bird and animal life in the forest. From the Brimbonga Track's shorter viewing platform, visitors can watch water flowing directly out of the dam into the aqueduct that carries it to Melbourne.
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