Ord River Diversion Dam
The potential of the East Kimberley Ord River basin was first noted by explorer Alexander Forrest during his exploratory journey through the Kimberley in 1879, during which he named the Ord River after the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Harry Ord.
In 1941 the newly appointed Western Australian Director of Works and Buildings, Russell Dumas, was requested by his Minister to make a special study of the north of the state, in order to become familiar with its problems. In August and September of that year he spent three weeks investigating the country in the north east Kimberley and along the Ord River to its source near Hall’s Creek. Dumas was impressed by the potential of the area to grow crops and he recommended that a small experimental area be established.
Later that year the Ord River Experimental Station was set up on the banks of the river at Carlton Reach by Kim Durack, with assistance from the WA Public Works and Agricultural Departments. This location was adjacent to one of the largest waterholes in the Kimberley, the riverbanks being alluvial loam. This establishment was moved 16 kms downstream in 1946, to the black soil plains, on which most of the irrigable area lies, and became the Kimberley Research Station, a joint Commonwealth–State venture.
After twelve years of research, results indicated that sugar, rice, cotton, safflower and various other oil seeds were likely to succeed, if adequate water was available. Work then began on planning an irrigation scheme to harness the huge volume of water flowing down the Ord during the monsoon (wet) season. Irrigation of the fertile plains along the river’s lower reaches would allow development of a productive agricultural industry and create a food bowl for Western Australia and overseas.
Following the Commonwealth Government’s 1959 decision to provide funding for the establishment of the town of Kununurra, the construction of the Ord River Diversion Dam and the irrigation channels, irrigated farming commenced in 1963.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage Marker (EHM) |
| Award Date | 20 July 2013 |
| Heritage Significance | The first stage of the Ord River Irrigation Project included the Ord River Diversion Dam, a barrage across the river at Bandicoot Bar, providing gravity flow to the main irrigation channel serving the first irrigated farm lots. The diversion dam was a significant successful technical and logistical achievement, overcoming multiple difficulties such as an extremely remote site, basic transport and communication facilities and adverse seasonal climatic conditions. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Ceremony Booklet available here. Ceremony Report available here. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | Available here. |
