Clarendon Weir
Encyclopedia
The Clarendon Weir is a small weir
on the Onkaparinga River
, near Adelaide
in South Australia
. Built in 1894–96 as part of the early Onkaparinga Water Scheme, the weir was designed to pool water from the Mount Bold Reservoir
, on the Onkaparinga, which is often boosted with water from the River Murray
. From the weir water is directed onwards to Happy Valley Reservoir
in the Field River catchment through pipeline. The water is used to supply the majority of the Adelaide region's water needs. The Clarendon Weir wall, originally constructed with large blocks of Macclesfield
marble, was raised to its current height of 14.5 metres in the mid 1960s.
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...
on the Onkaparinga River
Onkaparinga River
The Onkaparinga River runs from its source between Mount Torrens and Charleston in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and flows south westerly to an estuary at Port Noarlunga. The catchment is over 500 km² in area, and is in part located in the Onkaparinga River National Park.The Onkaparinga River is the...
, near Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. Built in 1894–96 as part of the early Onkaparinga Water Scheme, the weir was designed to pool water from the Mount Bold Reservoir
Mount Bold Reservoir
-2007 fire:A bushfire ravaged the Mount Bold Valley area, which includes the properties between Kangarilla and Echunga, during the second week of January 2007. The fire destroyed two houses, gutted over ten sheds and killed livestock and horses. Two people were injured and fencing was damaged. The...
, on the Onkaparinga, which is often boosted with water from the River Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
. From the weir water is directed onwards to Happy Valley Reservoir
Happy Valley Reservoir
Constructed when the total population of Adelaide numbered 315,200 the Happy Valley Reservoir now supplies over a half a million people, from Adelaide's southern extent to the city-centre.-Construction:...
in the Field River catchment through pipeline. The water is used to supply the majority of the Adelaide region's water needs. The Clarendon Weir wall, originally constructed with large blocks of Macclesfield
Macclesfield, South Australia
Macclesfield is a small town on the upper reaches of the River Angas in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. At the 2006 census, Macclesfield had a population of 832....
marble, was raised to its current height of 14.5 metres in the mid 1960s.