Barossa Reservoir

Dam in Williamstown, South Australia
34°39′00″S 138°50′56″E / 34.650°S 138.849°E / -34.650; 138.849Purposewater supplyConstruction began1899Opening date1902Built byEngineering and Water Supply DepartmentOwner(s)SA WaterDam and spillwaysType of damArch damImpoundsYettie CreekHeight36 metres (118 ft)Length144 metres (472 ft)ReservoirTotal capacity4,515 megalitres (159.4×10^6 cu ft)Surface area0.62 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 A£170,000 the reservoir was hailed on completion as an engineering marvel, and with the reservoir wall rising to a height of 36 metres (118 ft), it was, at the time of its completion, the highest dam wall in Australia.[2]

Location and features

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] The dam is notable for its parabola effect, where a voice can be heard clearly from one side to the other – over 140 metres (460 ft), 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]

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 (one-mile) 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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

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

Key statistics

  • Capacity: 4,515 megalitres (159.4×10^6 cu ft)
  • Length of wall: 144 metres (472 ft)
  • Height of wall: 36 metres (118 ft)
  • Depth at wall: 28.6 metres (94 ft)
  • Type of wall: Concrete arch

Incidents

At approximately 4:30 PM on Wednesday 21 April 2021, Henry Shepherdson jumped from the wall with his 9-month-old daughter, Kobi, strapped to him, amongst disturbed onlookers. The father was pronounced dead upon arrival of paramedics and the child later died at the scene. The incident was deemed a murder-suicide as there were witnesses who testify that Henry jumped as opposed to falling. There was a history of domestic violence between Kobi's mother and father.[8][9][10]

Gallery

  • The Whispering Wall carries sounds clearly over 140 metres (460 ft)
    The Whispering Wall carries sounds clearly over 140 metres (460 ft)
  • Barossa Reservoir from the air
    Barossa Reservoir from the air

See also

  • iconWater portal
  • flagSouth Australia portal

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. ^ a b "Barossa Reservoir" (PDF). SA Water. c. 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2005. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b 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.
  8. ^ "Baby who died in tourist spot 'murder-suicide' with dad identified". 22 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Reference at www.theaustralian.com.au".
  10. ^ Police, South Australia. "Front Page News". South Australia Police – Keeping SA Safe. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
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Reservoirs in South Australia
Adelaide area
Regional South Australia