Local Government
Harvey
Region
South West
Stirling Dam Rd Hoffman
Lot 4885
Harvey
South West
Constructed from 1948
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 10 Mar 1998 | Category 2 | |
Economic, historical, social
Situated on the same river as the Harvey Weir, the design of the Stirling Dam is similar to that of the Samson Dam built a little earlier. The south of the Stirling Dam contains a saddle and diorite dyke which assists the ordinary overflow weir and channel-type bywash. Assistance with the flow of water from the dam to the irrigation sites was achieved by the construction of the pioneering diversion stream and diversion tunnel during 1939 and 1940. The diversion stream was arguably the most expensive diversion built in Western Australia at the time of construction. The diversion tunnel was the principal feature of the Stirling Dam. The Stirling Dam, at one time the second largest in the State and with a capacity of 12,000,000,000 gallons was estimated to cost 70,000 pounds.
The Stirling Dam was constructed to increase the amount of water available to the Harvey Irrigation District, the oldest in the state, and to irrigate new areas. Situated on the same river as the Harvey Weir, and ten miles east of the town, the dam was named after Captain James Stirling, first governor of Western Australia. The site for the dam was first surveyed in 1911but clearing commenced in 1940. With the war intervening in the construction, work ceased in 1942 but was resumed again in 1945. 600 men were employed on the building of the dam, and many brought their wives and families to the town for the duration of their employment. Between September 1946 and March 1947 500,000 tons of earth, together with 132,000 tons of pug, gravel and stone were displaced and moved to the bank of the dam.
Sound
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9984 | Perth's early water supplies. Australian Heritage Engineering Record. | Book | 1984 |
| 12210 | Stirling Dam upgrade: heritage assessment Stirling Dam , Harvey | Heritage Study {Other} | 2002 |
Other Built Type
| 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.