Bowelling Dam

Statement of Significance

The site is an important connection with the railways which assisted in the development of the West Arthur District. The Bowelling Dam was built to supply water for the coal/steam trains which traveled from along the Narrogin-Darkan-Collie railway line and the Wagin-Duranillin-Bowelling line.

Physical Description

The land reserve for the water supply catchment was created in 1922. The dam is fed by gravitational water flow from the Darling Ranges. The catchment area is 392 acres direct. The bitumenised area for water catchment is approximately 4.5 acres with the full size of five acres (an earthen apron makes up the remaining half an acre). When full, the dam holds approximately 1.5 million gallons in an open dam.

The walls are earthen with natural stone. Plans for improvements to the dam drafted in 1948 indicated that there is a reinforced concrete lining approximately four inches thick on the walls of the dam but it is not visible today and it is not know if this lining was ever put on the walls.. Drains are stone pitch using the iron stone from the site. A three inch galvanised iron pipe gravity fed water from the dam down to the station at Bowelling siding. It is unknown if this pipe is still connected.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: few –improvements were proposed but it is unknown if these were carried out (1)
Extent of original fabric: Most

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.