About Goulburn Weir (Lake Nagambie)
Goulburn Weir is situated on the lands of the Taungurung people on the Goulburn River, forming Lake Nagambie. The wier is a concrete structure founded on bedrock, with its downstream face stepped with granite blocks quarried from the nearby Mt Black. It raises the level of the Goulburn River so that water can be diverted by gravity along the Stuart Murray Canal, Cattanach Canal and the East Goulburn Main Channel. The weir has resulted in the formation of Lake Nagambie
History
Construction of the weir took four years and was completed in 1891 and was the first major diversion structure for irrigation in Australia. The weir was considered very advanced for the time. Such was the regard for the structure, it appeared on the reverse of Australian half sovereign and ten shilling banknotes from 1913 until 1933.
The metal superstructure of the original weir included 21 cast iron and wrought iron gates mounted between cast iron piers. The gates could be lowered into recesses in the weir crest to pass river and flood flows. Water‑driven turbines provided the power to lower and raise the gates.
The structure also contained one of the first hydro-electric turbines in the southern hemisphere. The electricity was used to illuminate the weir and visitors came from all over Victoria to marvel at the steady bright electric light and floodlit water spray when the gates were operated at night. Goulburn Weir became an important venue for social and recreational events.
Works to stabilise the deteriorating weir structure were completed in 1983, and in 1987 a major refurbishment was undertaken. The work included advice on architectural and heritage matters from expert consultants, and the engagement of specialist contractors. As part of the works, the main weir superstructure was replaced with nine steel radial gates mounted between concrete piers forming the new structure. Two of the original gates and lifting gear, mounted on the angled western abutment, were retained to preserve part of this unique piece of engineering history.
In 1988, the refurbishment work was awarded the Engineering Excellence Award, Public Works Section ‘for stabilisation and reconstruction of a superstructure and retention of heritage value and charm' by the Institution of Engineers Australia (Victoria Division).
Operations
The storage has a capacity of 25,500 ML and the weir is 127 m long and 15 m high. Water is diverted from Goulburn Weir to the Shepparton Irrigation Area via the East Goulburn Main Channel and to the Central Goulburn Irrigation Area via the Stuart Murray Canal. The Stuart Murray Canal and Cattanach Canal also divert water to Waranga Basin for further supply downstream.
Goulburn Weir raises the level of the Goulburn River so that water can be diverted by gravity along the Stuart Murray Canal, Cattanach Canal and the East Goulburn Main Channel.
Diversions to the East Goulburn Main Channel supply the Shepparton Irrigation Area. The Stuart Murray Canal supplies part of the Central Goulburn Irrigation Area. Both the Stuart Murray Canal and the Cattanach Canals are used to divert water to Waranga Basin for further supplies to the Goulburn irrigation system.
Lake Nagambie
Goulburn Weir raises the level of the Goulburn River and has resulted in the formation of Lake Nagambie upstream which has stimulated a growth in recreation, farming and housing developments in the town of Nagambie and is now a very popular destination for visitors.
For more information on Lake Nagambie, go to the Strathbogie Shire website, opens in a new window.
Location
Goulburn Weir is located on the Goulburn River, approximately 8 km north of Nagambie and 80 km east of Bendigo.