Kenneth Edward Johnson

Kenneth Edward Johnson
(1925 - 2020)

Kenneth Edward Johnson was born on 15th October, 1925 in Crows Nest, Sydney.

After completing the Leaving Certificate in 1943, Johnson started a cadetship in design with the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission, Sydney. He returned to the Commission after a short traineeship with the RAAF. He started university under the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme (CRTS) whilst continuing his cadetship with WC&IC

After completing his degree in 1950, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at Sydney University, Johnson was design engineer on the Keepit Dam Outlet Works with WC&IC. He designed the trashrack structure, dam galleries, power house and the bulkhead gates.

In 1951, Johnson accepted a position lecturing in Civil Engineering at the University of Technology (later to become the University of New South Wales).

Returning to WC&IC in 1953, he became the Head of Investigations of the Hydrology Branch. Johnson was instrumental in the assessment of the spillway flood design for Burrendong Dam by use of storm analysis and probable precipitation applied to unit graphs. His experience with designs and flood studies, his involvement with one of the first computers used in his field and his participation on several technical committees led to Johnson taking a position with the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electrical Scheme in 1957.

Initially, Johnson took the position of Engineer for System Investigation. His investigations included the report on the six major alternative arrangements for the Snowy-Murray Development as well as the Optimum Feature Size Determination for all projects of the scheme. In 1960 he was appointed Engineering Chief of the Developing Division, which he held till his departure in 1968. His achievements in this area were highlighted by the preparation of the notification of output and cost of production for all power stations of the Scheme. He also had detailed involvement in the preliminary design of the Tumut 3 Project, the largest hydro-electric project in Australia. Also notable was the conception, investigation and project report which resulted in the adoption of the Shoalhaven Scheme for the augmentation of the Sydney Water Supply.

Johnson's extensive work with this division included:

Jindabyne Dam February, 1962.

Khancoban Dam June, 1962

Jindabyne Pumping Station October, 1962.

Murray 2 Project December, 1962.

Blowering Power Station February, 1964.

Jounama Dam December, 1964.

Tumut 3 Project July, 1965.

Eucumbene Spillway February, 1966.

as well as investigations of dam sites in Queensland, Canberra, Malaysia, Bougainville and Ramu in New Guinea.

In 1968, Johnson was appointed Chief Executive of the River Murray Commission. His field and office studies lead to the decision to build Dartmouth Dam instead of Chowilla. He participated in the implementation of improved water management arrangements adopted by the states. He was also involved in the amendment of the River Murray Waters Agreement which authorised the Commission to monitor water quality and make representations on water quality to contracting governments. His studies also provided the technical basis for the adoption of a salinity and drainage strategy.

Johnson retired from the Murray Darling Basin Commission in July 1990 and later returned as a consultant to complete the revision of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. He was later appointed by the Rural Water Commission of Victoria to report to the Minister for Water Resources on a review of operating rules for the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme. In 1993, he undertook Water Management Audits of Gwydir, Namoi, Lachlan and Macquarie Rivers for the Department of Water Resources, NSW.

Ken was a Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia, a Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Member of the Hydrological Society of the ACT. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2013, For significant service to the development of water resources for irrigation and hydro-electricity as an engineer.

Ken had married Betty, and they had two sons, Ian and Graeme.

He died on 6 October 2020 .

Prepared by Michelle Keatinge, July 2003 from oral history interview conducted by Matthew Higgins on 25 February 1999.

To access an oral history interview with Kenneth Edward Johnson please use this link:'

https://heritage.engineersaustralia.org.au/wiki/Oral_Histories_Sydney