Devonport

Port in northwest Tasmania, Australia, 99 km/62 mi northwest of Launceston; population (1996) 22,299. It is the largest town on the north coast of Tasmania, situated between the Mersey and Forth rivers, and a terminal for roll-on, roll-off and container ships trading with Melbourne and Sydney. Devonport is the closest city to the Mersey-Forth hydroelectric scheme, which contributes about 16 % of the State of Tasmania's energy requirements. Industries include food-processing, textiles, steel, the manufacture of timber products, and tourism.

Devonport is the home port for the Spirit of Tasmania vehicular ferry, and the Devil Cat, Catamaran fast ferry, which operate across Bass Strait.

Mersey-Forth hydroelectric scheme The development of Mersey-Forth Power began in 1963 and was completed in 1973. It uses water from four rivers in the area, the Fisher, Mersey, Wilmot, and Forth, and comprises seven power stations (with a combined generating capacity of 308.3 MW, three major tunnels and associated penstocks, canals, and flumes. One of the power stations on the Forth River forms the Devil's Gate Dam, a concrete arch structure which subsequently forms Lake Barrington. This artificial lake is renowned as an international-standard rowing course and was the venue for the 1990 World Rowing Championships.