Barossa Reservoir is a reservoir in the Australian state of South Australia, built between 1899 and 1902 to supply water to Gawler and other northern country areas. Built at a cost of almost A£170,000 the reservoir was hailed on completion as an engineering marvel, and with the reservoir wall rising to a height of 36 metres (118 ft), it was, at the time of its completion, the highest dam wall in Australia.[2]
Location and features
The thin arch of the dam retaining wall, curved against the pressure of the water, was an innovation considered radical, and attracted the Reservoir international attention.[3] It was featured in the Scientific American and caused the American Engineers News to remark that its "boldness of design deserves to rank with the most famous dams in the world".[3] The dam is notable for its parabola effect, where a voice can be heard clearly from one side to the other – over 140 metres (460 ft), end to end. This unusual acoustic phenomenon is a popular tourist attraction, and has earned the dam the title "Whispering Wall" (see Whispering gallery).[4]
During construction large stones were used in the wall to save concrete and tram rails were used to reinforce the upper section.[5] The Barossa Reservoir was formed by damming the Yettie Creek gorge in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, a feat that took over 400 men.[2] Its water comes through a two-kilometre (one-mile) tunnel, carved by horse power, from the South Para River and Reservoir, and is supplemented by the Warren Reservoir and the River Murray. In addition to Gawler and country, a filtration plant constructed in 1982[6] allows the Reservoir to supply the suburbs of Munno Para and Elizabeth.[citation needed]
The dam's vegetated surrounds are also protected. Aside from its acoustic attraction, the Whispering Wall offers great views of both the Barossa Reservoir and the surrounding, well-preserved natural bounty. The area abounds in thick scrub, tall red gums, and pines, and a flourishing bird and animal life. It is a popular destination for picnics and bird-watching.[citation needed]
At approximately 4:30 PM on Wednesday 21 April 2021, Henry Shepherdson jumped from the wall with his 9-month-old daughter, Kobi, strapped to him, amongst disturbed onlookers. The father was pronounced dead upon arrival of paramedics and the child later died at the scene. The incident was deemed a murder-suicide as there were witnesses who testify that Henry jumped as opposed to falling. There was a history of domestic violence between Kobi's mother and father.[8][9][10]
As of Friday 22 November 2024, A coronial inquest continues [11]
Gallery
The Whispering Wall carries sounds clearly over 140 metres (460 ft)
^"SA Water Reserves: Barossa". South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. 21 March 2005. Archived from the original on 17 September 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2005.
