Photograph taken in 1958.
Vaich Dam was built as part of the second phase of the Conon Valley hydro-electric scheme. Its construction created a new reservoir called Loch Vaich. Water is taken from here and from Loch Droma into another reservoir, Loch Glascarnoch, formed by the construction of the Glascarnoch Dam. An 8km tunnel takes water to Mossford power station at Kinlochluichart. Other dams in the Conon scheme include Torachility, Orrin, Luichart, Meig and Fannich.
This is just one example of many dams built in the Highlands during the Hydro's construction phase that ran from 1949 to 1965. Other hydro schemes include the Shin-Cassley, the Garry/Tummel, the Affric/Cannich schemes.
Click to enlarge the image, read the text then answer the following questions.
Questions
- How long do you think the dam is?
- Why do you think they built dams where the valley was at its narrowest?
- How long is the tunnel that takes the water from Glascarnoch to Mossford Power Station?