Local Government
Greater Geraldton
Region
Midwest
off Geraldton & Mt Magnet Rd Wicherina
(South side)
Greater Geraldton
Midwest
Constructed from 1927
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 15 Dec 2015 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 28 Sep 2018 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 22 Dec 1998 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 31 Aug 2005 | Category 4 | |
Wicherina Dam has historic and social significance as an essential water supply for Geraldton and the surrounds.
Built on Wicherina Brook, this large dam was once covered in order to prevent evaporation, which was approximately 10 feet a year. However there is no evidence remaining of the large asbestos cover which eventually fell in. The pumping station is located to the east of the dam. 2004/5 Review: to the east of the main dam wall are concrete foundations and fittings of former buildings.
A small earthen dam across Wicherina Brook was originally built by Davis and Percy of Tibradden Station. In 1921, another earthen wall dam was built on the creek to form two reservoirs capable of holding 106 million gallons of water. To compensate for water evaporation, bores were drilled nearby to replenish the dams. In 1934, a corrugated asbestos roof was constructed over the lower dam. The roof covered an area of 17 acres. To reach Geraldton, water flowed through three miles of steel piping to a 300,000 gallon reinforced concrete reservoir on a high hill and then gravitated through concrete pipes to Geraldton. Wicherina Dam supplied householders in Geraldton with water until 1965. When the Allanooka Water Supply opened in 1966 the Wicherina Dam ceased as a water supply for Geraldton. Since the 1970s water has been pumped from the dam site to Mullewa. (Source: Bain, M.A.)
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geraldton Sketchbook, pp.62-3. | Rohan, P., & Wilson, H.H. | 1976 | |
| A Life of its Own, pp. 146-7. | Bain, M.A. | 1996 | |
| Roundabout Geraldton and the Victoria District | Halley, E.M. & Wilson, H.H. | reprinted 1978 | |
| Here-There-Not- Everywhere, p.23. | Wells, J.H. | 1986 |
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| GN171 | Greater Geraldton Asset ID |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2412 | Geraldton sketchbook. | Book | 1976 |
Landscape
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Reservoir or Dam |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Reservoir or Dam |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
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.