Water resources and power development on the Central Plateau

Abstract

The Central Plateau region of the State - the lake country of Tasmania - has undoubtedly been responsible 183 for sparking the enthusiasm that had led to the extensive development of the hydro-electric resources of this State. This enthusiasm resulted from the obviously favourable characteristics of the area for power development - good rainfall, cheap storage sites and favourable topography for developing suitable "drops" for power development. Furthermore, these resources were all located in relatively accessible areas. In reviewing the power development on the Plateau it is proposed to deal first with those aspects of the climate of particular interest to the water resources of the area and then deal with the manner in which these water resources have been used to date and may be used in the future.