Torrumbarry Weir’s Lock 26 has been re-opened following its repair and re-commissioning by Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW).
After unexpected problems were experienced in February, Lock 26 was emptied of water to allow for inspection of its valves and the fabrication of replacement parts necessary for its safe operation.
“We thank stakeholders and vessel operators who may have been inconvenienced by these repair works,” Manager Dams Operations Tony Beamish said.
“We are pleased to report recreational water users can now use the lock to travel upstream or downstream when river levels allow passage.”
The closure of the lock did not affect the normal operation of Torrumbarry Weir in terms of river flow and water supply.
Torrumbarry Weir and Lock 26 are located on the River Murray, about 40km north-west of Echuca or 80km downriver of the port of Echuca. The original weir was constructed in the early 1920s by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.
“Like many dam and irrigation assets managed by GMW, Lock 26 is many decades old and there are no ‘off the shelf’ replacement parts available,” Mr Beamish said.
“GMW was able to apply in-house engineering expertise at our Tatura workshop to fabricate new parts that will allow for the reliable operation of the lock well into the future.”
GMW is the State Constructing Authority responsible for managing and maintaining Torrumbarry Weir under the direction of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.