Barossa Reservoir

Barossa Reservoir
The reservoir from its arch dam
Location of Barossa Reservoir in South Australia
Country Australia
Location Williamstown, South Australia[1]
Coordinates 34°39′00″S 138°50′56″E / 34.650°S 138.849°E / -34.650; 138.849Coordinates: 34°39′00″S 138°50′56″E / 34.650°S 138.849°E / -34.650; 138.849
Purpose water supply
Construction began 1899
Opening date 1902
Built by Engineering and Water Supply Department
Owner(s) SA Water
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Arch dam
Impounds Yettie Creek
Height 36 metres (118 ft)
Length 144 metres (472 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity 4,515 megalitres (159.4×10^6 cu ft)
Surface area 0.62 km2 (0.24 sq mi)
Website
http://www.sawater.com.au/community-and-environment/our-water-and-sewerage-systems/water-sources/reservoir-data/barossa-reservoir

Barossa Reservoir is a reservoir in the Australian state of South Australia, built between 1899 and 1902 to supply water to Gawler and other northern country areas. Built at a cost of almost £170,000 the reservoir was hailed on completion as an engineering marvel, and at a total of 36 metres, was the highest in Australia.[2] The thin arch of the dam retaining wall, curved against the pressure of the water, was an innovation considered radical, and attracted the Reservoir international attention.[3] It was featured in the Scientific American and caused the American Engineers News to remark that its "boldness of design deserves to rank with the most famous dams in the world".[3] Nowadays, the dam is notable for its parabola effect, where a voice can be heard clearly from one side to the other — over 140 metres, end to end. This unusual acoustic phenomenon is a popular tourist attraction, and has earned the dam the title "Whispering Wall" (see Whispering gallery).[4]

The Whispering Wall carries sounds clearly over 140 metres

During construction large stones were used in the wall to save concrete and tram rails were used to reinforce the upper section.[5] The Barossa Reservoir was formed by damming the Yettie Creek gorge in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, a feat that took over 400 men.[2] Its water comes through a two-kilometre tunnel, carved by horse power, from the South Para River and Reservoir, and is supplemented by the Warren Reservoir and the River Murray. In addition to Gawler and country, a filtration plant constructed in 1982[6] allows the Reservoir to supply the suburbs of Munno Para and Elizabeth.

Barossa Reservoir from the air

The dam's vegetated surrounds are also protected. Aside from its acoustic attraction, the Whispering Wall offers great views of both the Barossa Reservoir and the surrounding, well-preserved natural bounty. The area abounds in thick scrub, tall red gums, and pines, and a flourishing bird and animal life. It is a popular destination for picnics and bird-watching.

In 2008, its engineering heritage was recognized by the installation of a marker provided by the Engineers Australia's Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.[7]

  • Capacity: 4,515 megalitres
  • Length of wall: 144 m
  • Height of wall: 36 m
  • depth at wall: 28.6 m
  • Type of wall: Concrete arch

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Search result for "Barossa Reservoir (Reservoir) " (SA0004781) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" and " Place names (gazetteer)"". Property Location Browser. Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Barossa Reservoir" (PDF). SA Water. c. 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2005. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 Conlon, Keith. "Barossa Valley: Whispering Wall". Postcards. Nine Network. Archived from the original on 18 October 2005. Retrieved 30 September 2005.
  4. ↑ "SA Water Reserves: Barossa". South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. 21 March 2005. Archived from the original on 17 September 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2005.
  5. ↑ "Barossa Reservoir" (PDF).
  6. ↑ "Filtration". SA Water, Government of South Australia. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Barossa Dam, South Para River, 1903-". Engineering Heritage Recognition Program. Engineers Australia. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
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