The Snowy Mountains scheme began construction in 1949 and was completed in 1974. It was a world-class feat of engineering and became a symbol of post-war reconstruction. It involved 100,000 workers from around the world who reversed rivers and built 16 dams, 7 power stations and 145 kilometres of tunnels. Construction of the Scheme necessitated the flooding of the Eucumbene River Valley near Old Adaminaby and resulted in the relocation of the entire population of the township and construction of a new town on the Snowy Mountains Highway away from the rising waters of Lake Eucumbene.