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Glenlee Tunnel [Surge Shaft]

Glenlee Hill, SW of St John's Town of Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire.

Shaft to tunnel, Hydro-electric Scheme.

See 'Glenlee Tunnel [Outfall]' for main registry entry.

"The surge shaft of the Glenlee tunnel was built 700 feet from the Glenlee end. It has a diameter of 24 feet, and was sunk from the hillside to meet the tunnel at a depth of 142 feet. At the surface the shaft has a concrete lip 5 feet high, in which openings have been cut. In the event of a surge the water will overflow through these openings into an artificially formed reservoir... Near the bottom of the surge shaft a large chamber, 105 feet long and about 24 feet high, was driven horizontally. This chamber accommodates sufficient water to keep the tunnel fully charged if the full load were suddenly to be switched on at the power station." [Wonders of World Engineering]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Hydrographic Feeds: Clatteringshaws Loch