Using the waters of the Mersey and Forth catchment areas for power generation was proposed early this century and river gauging stations were established on a number of rivers during the 1920s.
Detailed engineering investigations for the present development were started in the 1950s and the Report to Parliament was presented in 1963. The scheme was ambitious and its various components were spread over a large area. A main construction village was sited at Gowrie Park with quarters for the single men being set up in a number of construction areas.
The Mersey Forth Power Development uses water from four rivers, the Fisher, Mersey, Wilmot and Forth. By a series of canals, pipelines, flumes and tunnels all the water from the Fisher, Wilmot and Mersey Rivers which is used to generate electricity, is diverted into the Forth River.
This water is then used in three power stations which have been built on the Forth River.
The scheme has seven power stations and seven large dams. The combined generating capacity of the seven power stations is about 308 MW and between them these power stations generate about 15.0% of the State's power needs. All the power stations are unattended and are remotely controlled.
For more information on the catchment power generation and history, click here.
Lake Barrington - venue for the 1990 World Rowing Championships