Drought Down Under Drains Reservoir, Revealing Town Submerged For 50 Yrs - AFP

[hatrack]

Australia's worst drought in a century has uncovered a town deliberately flooded 50 years ago as part of a massive hydro-electricity scheme, stirring painful memories for former residents. Adaminaby, a small farming town nestled in the Snowy Mountains on the border between New South Wales and Victoria states, was submerged under 30 metres (98.5 feet) of water in 1957 when the local valley was dammed to form the man-made Lake Eucumbene.

The settlement was never expected to be seen again but the severity of the drought has evaporated most of the lake, bringing it back to the surface. "We couldn't believe it when the old streets started to reappear," said Leigh Stewart, a local history buff who grew up in the old town and once ran a shop there. "It brought back a lot of memories, I can still see in my mind's eye how the town was," he adds, gesturing around the muddy wreckage of what was once his family home.

Stewart said the town's re-emergence was a striking demonstration of the severity of the drought. "It shows how bad the situation is around here," he said.

"The dam's at about 20 percent capacity now and it's getting worse. We're all hoping it turns around soon and we get some consistent rains that will fill the lake again."

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Drought_Uncovers_Drowned_Town_In_Australia_Alps_999.html

[Sequoia]

1. What a rather sad story.

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Then and Now: Adaminaby Photos

OLD ADAMINABY

Post Office


Anglican Church


The Town



The Town



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