Junction Reefs Dam, Heritage-listed mining dam in Lyndhurst, Australia.
Junction Reefs Dam is a concrete structure with five arch spans supported by six buttresses, built to control water flow from the Belubula River. The arches transfer water pressure down to solid piers anchored into the riverbank, creating an efficient system that has held for over a century.
The dam was built in 1896 by civil engineer Oscar Schulze and a team of about 40 workers to provide water power for gold mining operations nearby. Its innovative arch design was tested and refined during construction, establishing new techniques for dam building in the region.
The structure represents the adaptation of English industrial practices to Australian conditions through its innovative multi-arch design and hydropower implementation.
The site has camping areas along the Belubula River with modern toilet facilities available to visitors. You can reach it by driving about 15 minutes from Mandurama via Burnt Yards Road, making it accessible for day trips or longer stays.
This structure was Australia's first dam built with multiple arch spans and was recognized with the Engineering Heritage National Marker. The achievement marked a turning point in how water control projects were designed and built in the country.
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