This is a seasonally closed
track and can only be accessed by vehicle from October 31st to June
15th.
We recommend coming in from
GCZG36 - Santa’s Rum Place and then after collecting this cache
continue on to
GC1KFXH - A Dry Spill making a nice circuit drive.
If the tracks are dry this is a medium track with some steep
climbs and descents. A high clearance vehicle with low range will
be required and this is reflected in the terrain rating. This track
will become very difficult if even slightly wet. If
you are approaching from Santa’s Rum Place you will need to cross
one river which may rise without warning therefore prior to
crossing it please ensure you check its depth.
Warning Sign at River
Crossing
If you are completing this cache in the
order suggested above look to the right hand side of the track
between Santa’s Rum Place and this cache as it showcases how mother
nature has bounced back after the devastating fires that razed this
part of the country in December 2006 blackening more than 409,000
Hectares.
Thompson Dam during the 2006
Fires
A fire break at GZ will give you another
spectacular view of the Thompson Reservoir wall and catchment area.
There is plenty of room for multiple vehicles to park off the
track.
The Thompson Reservoir was finished in 1983 and is owned by
Melbourne Water. It stores surplus water from rivers and streams in
the water supply catchments and is the largest of Melbourne’s
storage reservoirs. These reservoirs aim is to ensure water is
available in dry periods and provide carry-over storage for drought
years.
Thompson Wall &
Spillway
When needed, the Thompson Reservoir
supplies water via large transfer mains to service reservoirs
throughout the metropolitan area to meet daily and hourly
consumption needs. The water is then transferred to the retail
water companies which provide reticulated water to domestic,
commercial and industrial customers in the greater Melbourne
area.
Melbourne Water manages all the storage reservoirs and is
responsible for the harvesting, treatment and transfer of water to
the three Melbourne retail water companies - City West Water, South
East Water and Yarra Valley Water. They also supply water to
Western Water.
Melbourne Water's supply responsibilities are defined by Bulk
Water Supply Agreements with each of the retail water companies.
The objective is to provide a reliable supply of safe, high quality
drinking water that consistently meets National Health and Medical
Research Council requirements.
GZ shows how low the reservoir
is and the sad state our water supplies are
in.
We Hope you enjoy the
scenic drive.