Torrens Weir, Adelaide, SA
Sir Edwin Smith was mayor of the City of Adelaide from 1879-1882 and 1886-1888. He had a vision to bring the city up to modern standards. One part of this plan was the conversion of the River Torrens into a lake to improve its appearance and condition as well as to create a recreational facility.
To create the lake, I t was necessary to dam the river. The first attempt to dam the river was in 1867 when the Sheriff of Adelaide used prison labour to construct a timber dam. It washed away in 1872.
A new simple concrete weir was constructed in 1880-1881. It was one of the first used of concrete on a civil engineering project in Australia. The cement was imported from England and was mixed with aggregate from Aldgate. The sluice gates were first closed on 1 July 1881, and the formal opening ceremony was held on 21 July of the same year.
James Langdon, The City of Adelaide City Engineer, supervised the construction of the weir. The weir resulted in in the formation of the 4780 Megalitre Torrens Lake was created.
The centre section of the weir was replaced with two flood gates that regulated an overflow of 2 metres. The plans were prepared 1917 and opened in 1929.
