Show DAM one of the irrigation marvels of the world situated 20 goondah Go ondah a small ton on the main southern rail way and reached by one of the most miniature in australia Is the source of the water supply of the ir are is tho surroundings of Humn juck pro sent n scene of wild and rugged grandeur and as the train approaches the glimpses are caught ot the great inland wa indeed in it n veritable sea for all the navies or the world could lie on its bosom and then there would room to spare tor the mercantile marine as well ahe biggest warship ever built could ride at anchor at and there would still be n hundred feet of water under her koel A couple of years ago here and there could be seen the diang top topi i of giant gum trees which had fringed the course of the ano rivers but they have long since gone under and smart motor boats the surface many feet above the submerged trunks also a number of homesteads which nestled in the lonesome valleys are likewise burled fathoms deep their dispossessed owners were well compensated by the state and the little homesteads had to go la order that a score or two of holdings might emerge on the elverina Rl verina plains the dam ranks fourth among the great irrigation achievements of the world the formation at the site of the dam Is n grained hard red granite and on either side of the dam the hills rise steeply to a height 0 2000 feet at about a mile above the dam the gorge opens out into a large basin which formerly included the junction of the and mur rivers when the dam Is full the area of this portion of the storage will be about acres with a depth of water over a large portion of from ISO to feet above this basin the rivers again enter the hills opening out into smaller areas of submerged flats here and there which will still further increase the area of tho storage some 13 miles above the dam the yass river falls into the general storage water will be eventually held up the yasa aher to 22 miles up the alver to IS miles and up the burrum eldgee river to 42 miles above the dam the division weir Is situated miles by river below bur ring juck dam here tho water Is dl averted from the river into the main canal eventually the main canal will extend to about miles from barem bcd at present it terminates near griffith about 00 miles from the takeoff take off to yanco where the canal practically enters the area the distance from Ber embed weir 13 45 miles the estimated capacity of the dam 18 33 cubic feet or acre feet the full supply level will be at R L 1180 above water spring aldis sydney or feet above tho in vert of the drain off pipes in the course of a year or so bur will come into its own as one of the most resorts for pleasure and recreation in the states for the vast utilitarian undertaking reposed amidst most picturesque surroundings roun dings and fishing boating swimming shooting will offer considerable attraction to the tourist and holiday maker who vv dishos to make a trip miles inland from sydney when the fall Is completed it will hold more water than sydney harbor and its bays and valleys will be just as numerous the surrounding country is more rugged and inspiring than that which surrounds port jackson there among those steep and formidable mountains to a height of feet the dam backs the water 42 miles the ruling grade Is only 5 feet per mile from the dam to yanco the great irrigation model of new south wales via the water route Is miles and the tall of the whole of that total distance Is only about COO feet showing how the low grade enables those creag so far distant from the supply to be watered entirely by gravitation the farms allotted and available for disposal on the irrigation areas are of varying sizes and of varying quality with the result that the lines of industry followed by the settlers cover a wide range there are farms of from 2 to acres in extent and the chief industries carried on are dairying which in many cases Is associated with pig raising fruit growing viticulture and vegetable growing the usual variety of fruits grown under irrigation conditions in other parts of the world anre being produced on the irrigation areas and the experiment Is n useful object lesson available for the instruction of settlers in the growth of these fruits and although the settlement Is still young phenomenal crops of apricots peaches citrus fruits and grapes have been obtained by the settlers on the various bolls suitable for the production of each of these classes adv NEW SOUTH WALES information BUREAU S tier bu id ng W frody ne york city will b to boliaua BolI eUa or ar an ditto for lock rait on fruit alining oil ID hew wl AUSTRALIA |