The Spirit of the Snowy – Fifty Years On

The concept of the Snowy Mountains Scheme captured the imagination of all those involved.

From the beginning, the challenges of the project attracted young and capable people. They were supported by wise leadership, and encouraged to accept tasks to the full limit of their capacity. They had access to the best world experience.

As the work proceeded, new challenges arose. Problems were being solved as they arose in practice, and innovations were being adopted without any delays to the overall progress. There was excellent co-operation within the Snowy team of engineers involved in investigation, design, and contract administration, geologists and laboratory scientists, and with the contractors. There was a united focus on achievement.

The scheme evolved in overall concept and was improved in detail. The project was finally completed not only on time and within the original estimate, but with much greater installed capacity and electricity output, and with much greater water storage. That ensured secure water releases for irrigation in long term drought.

The paper will try to describe some of the many engineering and scientific advances, especially in the first decade, and to give credit for some outstanding contributions.