History of Harvey Dam
The orginal Harvey Weir was part of the first irrigation scheme in WA, and only the sixth public dam developed in the state.
In the beginning The Public Works Department began construction in 1914 and completed the Weir in 1916. About 100 men were employed using horse and dray for all the excavation works. The Weir had a 12 metre high concrete wall and held 512 million gallons of water.
In 1931,work began to raise the wall from its original 12 metres to 18 metres,increasing the storage capacity to 2,275 million gallons.
In the 1990's with water supplies under increasing pressure to meet the demands of population and economic growth, a new dam with six times the capacity of the Harvey Weir was planned.
Planned for 2012, the project was bought forward 14 years and implemented in four years instead of the original five-year timefame.
The new Harvey Dam became part of the $275 million Stirling-Harvey Redevopment Scheme. This scheme took advantage of a large, high quality source of water in an area of historically relatively high and reliable rainfall. It delieved a new irrigation dam to the people of Harvey,allowing the Stirling Dam to deliver a 10 per cent boost to the State's water supplies.
Did you know....? Facts about the Dam
Capacity - 56 gigalitres.
Surface area at full storage - 553 hectares.
Catchment area - 126 square kilometres.
Height of Wall - 45 metres.
Maximum discharge - 2100 cubic metres per second.
Full supply level - 78 metres above sea level.
Outstanding features include walkways,landscaped recreational areas, free electric BBQs, playground facilities, shady gazebo's, picnic tables and toilets.
The Water Corporation has worked with Fisheries WA and Recfish West to re-establish trout and marron in the reservoir. During the desiginated seasons, licensed anglers will be able to fish for trout and try their luck for a marron. Marroning, trout & perch fishing is permitted only at the rear of the dam. (in season with permit).
Harvey Dam welcomes canoes but no power boats allowed.
Venue booking's at the Harvey Visitor Centre Phone: 08 9729 1122. info@harveytourism.com
Click here to make an enquiry.
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