Stawell Water Supply

The Stawell Water Supply represents a significant engineering achievement at a time when provision of a suitable water supply was necessary for the development of a gold rich town, and at a time where modern engineering technology, such as topographic maps, were unavailable to those designing the system. When gold was discovered in the Stawell area in the 1850s, the need for a reliable water supply became readily apparent.

Initially, two large dams were constructed in order to meet this need, however limited catchment area and pollution from the nearby mines contributed to the failure of this system. Consequently, construction of the current system, which diverted water from the Grampians-fed Fyans Creek, commenced in the early 1870s.

The Stawell Water Supply has undergone a variety of improvements aimed at modernising the system since its completion in 1881. However, some of the components of the original water supply system are still in operation today and play an integral part in ensuring water is supplied to the township of Stawell.

The Stawell Water Supply is particularly significant in that it was originally designed as an entirely gravity-delivered system without any pumping plant.

Flume carrying water from Diversion Weir to the tunnel entrance. Now replaced by a pipeline along the road
Source: Miles Pierce

Big Hill Interpretation Panel and Marker
Source: Richard Venus

Diversion Weir site on Fyans Creek
Source: Owen Peake

Valve House at No.1 Reservoir, Big Hill, Stawell

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Big Hill - Stawell

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Borough Huts - Stawell

Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Engineering Engineering Marker (EHM)
Award Date	October 2014
Heritage Significance	During the 19th century, the Stawell water supply system was seen as the most elaborate country water supply works in Victoria, incorporating fluming, piping and tunnelling. The flume line is a tremendous feat of engineering and construction in particularly rough country. The flume line was expertly constructed with water flowing at sufficient head to provide adequate flow whilst ensuring that overtopping of the flume wall did not occur. The tunnel is the first recorded instance of dynamite being used in preference to black powder in Victoria.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report	Not available
Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image	Interpretation Panel at Big Hill (PDF 1.42 MB) Interpretation Panel at Borough Huts (PDF 0.3 MB)