Cascade River (Tasmania)

The Cascade River is a river in northern Tasmania. The river starts below Bells Hill and ends near Derby where it merges with the Ringarooma River.[1]

The river flooded in April 1929, following unusually heavy rains in northern Tasmania.[2] After rainfall of 125 millimetres in just one and a half hours,[3] the Briseis Dam gave way upstream of the town Derby causing a torrentof water to rush down the narrow gorge of the Cascade River. The flood was the worst in Tasmanian history, lasting several days. Thousands of buildings were damaged and the death toll is variously reported to be between 14 and 22.[4]

After the 1929 Briseis Dam Disaster, the Cascade River Dam was rebuilt as Cascade Dam, in 1936.[5] The Dam, when full, covers an area of around 49 hectares.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Map of Cascade River, Tas". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Bureau of Meteorology. Northern Tasmania, April 1929
  3. ↑ Beswick, John (2006). "Briseis Dam Disaster". The Companion to Tasmian History. Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. ↑ Stephens, Phil and Matt. "The Flood of 1929". Launceston Historical Society Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  5. ↑ Cole, Bruce (2006). "Dams". The Companion to Tasmanian History. Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Map of Cascade Dam, Tas". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.

Coordinates: 41°08′S 147°48′E / 41.133°S 147.800°E / -41.133; 147.800


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