Goulburn Weir
Encyclopedia
Goulburn Weir is a weir
built between 1887
and early 1891
across the Goulburn River
near Nagambie
, Victoria
, Australia
. It was the first major diversion structure built for irrigation development in Australia
. The weir also forms Lake Nagambie
where rowing regattas and waterskiing tournaments are held.
The weir is 209 metres long by about 16 metres high. Its design was considered very advanced for its time, so much so that it featured on the back of half sovereign and ten shilling notes from 1913 to 1933. The structure also contained one of the first hydro-electric turbines in the southern hemisphere, used to supply power for lifting and lighting.
After more than 90 years of continuous service, many of the weir's components were in urgent need of replacement. Stabilisation works were done in 1983 and in 1987.
The weir raises the level of the Goulburn River so that water can be diverted, by gravity, along the main irrigation supply channels: Stuart Murray Canal, Cattanach Canal, East Goulburn Main Channel. The weir services nearby farming of crops including wheat, stock and domestic supplies.
Weir
A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a river or stream. In most cases weirs take the form of a barrier across the river that causes water to pool behind the structure , but allows water to flow over the top...
built between 1887
1887 in Australia
See also:1886 in Australia,other events of 1887,1888 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Premier of New South Wales – Patrick Jenning , then Henry Parkes...
and early 1891
1891 in Australia
See also:1890 in Australia,other events of 1891,1892 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Premier of New South Wales - Henry Parkes then George Dibbs*Premier of South Australia - Thomas Playford II...
across the Goulburn River
Goulburn River (Victoria)
The Goulburn River is a major inland river in Victoria, Australia.The headwaters of the Goulburn River rise in the western end of the Victoria Alps, near Mount Buller. The Eildon Dam creates Lake Eildon, a major storage of water for irrigation...
near Nagambie
Nagambie, Victoria
Nagambie is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on the Goulburn Valley Highway, north of Seymour, in the Shire of Strathbogie. At the 2006 census, Nagambie had a population of 1,383.-History:...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was the first major diversion structure built for irrigation development in Australia
Irrigation in Australia
Irrigation in Australia is a widespread practice to supplement low rainfall levels in Australia with water from other sources to assist in the production of crops or pasture. As the driest inhabited continent, irrigation is required in many areas for production of crops for domestic and export use...
. The weir also forms Lake Nagambie
Lake Nagambie
Lake Nagambie is a lake in Victoria, Australia. The town of Nagambie is on its shores....
where rowing regattas and waterskiing tournaments are held.
The weir is 209 metres long by about 16 metres high. Its design was considered very advanced for its time, so much so that it featured on the back of half sovereign and ten shilling notes from 1913 to 1933. The structure also contained one of the first hydro-electric turbines in the southern hemisphere, used to supply power for lifting and lighting.
After more than 90 years of continuous service, many of the weir's components were in urgent need of replacement. Stabilisation works were done in 1983 and in 1987.
The weir raises the level of the Goulburn River so that water can be diverted, by gravity, along the main irrigation supply channels: Stuart Murray Canal, Cattanach Canal, East Goulburn Main Channel. The weir services nearby farming of crops including wheat, stock and domestic supplies.