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Karalee Reservoir, Rock Catchment & Aqueduct

Author

Shire of Yilgarn

Place Number

10062
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

about 50 km E of Southern Cross

Location Details

Local Government

Yilgarn

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents More information
State Register Registered 14 Dec 2001 Register Entry
Assessment Documentation
Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management More information
Category Description
Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey Completed 11 Dec 1998

Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust Classified 12 Mar 2001

Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory Adopted 16 May 1997 Category D

Category D

These places are significant but not essential to an understanding of the history of the district; Photographically record the place prior to any major redevelopment or demolition.

Parent Place or Precinct

16610 Goldfields Water Supply Scheme

Statement of Significance

A regular water supply has always been a critical issue for survival in the Yilgarn region owing to the arid conditions and the absence of freshwater rivers or artesian springs. The large number and variety of man made structures such as dams and wells, reflects the settlement patterns chosen over time. The locations (sites) of the structures were carefully chosen to maximise the natural water catchment areas. Even these numerous watering holes were not sufficient, and water supply had to be supplemented, using saline bore water, processed in condensers at various locations in the region.

Physical Description

Karalee is an attractive example of a Railway Dam built
to supply steam engines with the water they needed.
Today it is a popular recreation spot for local people and
visitors.

History

Karalee Reservoir, Rock Catchment & Aqueduct is a former railway water source comprising natural granite rock formations and stone retaining walls, trenches and stone sluices, a stone, timber and riveted iron aqueduct (in ruins) and an earth and stone water reservoir. Hunt’s Well and Dam form part of a chain of water sources established by C.C. Hunt in the 1860s and have rarity value as part of a series of endangered and extraordinary structures. While similar in respects to many other railway catchment systems, Karalee Reservoir, Rock Catchment & Aqueduct is unique in WA for the use of a steel aqueduct structure. Class C reserve No. 3531.

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
W. H. Shields Architect - -

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
6042 Karalee Rock Dam and Aqueduct east of Southern Cross: conservation works. + Karalee Dam work procedure. Conservation works report 2003
4897 Conservation plan for Karalee Rock Water Catchment (Goldfields Water Supply Scheme - place J). Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2000

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use Transport\Communications Water: Other
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Reservoir or Dam
Present Use SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL Other

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Other TIMBER Other Timber
Wall STONE Granite
Other METAL Cast Iron
Wall STONE Local Stone

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Aboriginal Occupation
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Technology & technological change
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Road transport
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Rail & light rail transport

Creation Date

16 Dec 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Dec 2016

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.