Yanco Weir is a heritage-listed

weir A weir or low head dam is a barrier across the width of a river that alters the flow characteristics of water and usually results in a change in the height of the river level. Weirs are also used to control the flow of water for outlets of l ...

Yanco Yanco is a village with a population of 505 in Leeton Shire in south western New South Wales, Australia. Yanco is a Wiradjuri aboriginal language word meaning ''the sound of running water''. Yanco is located from Leeton along Irrigation Way. ...

Leeton Shire Leeton Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is located adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River and falls within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The Shire includes the town of Leeton a ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Australia. It was built from 1928 to 1929 by WC & IC. It is also known as Yanco Weir and site. The property is owned by Department of Planning and Infrastructure, a

department Department may refer to: * Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility Government and military *Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...

of the

Government of New South Wales The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of New South Wales. It is currently held by a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. The Governmen ...

. It was added to the

New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...

on 2 April 1999.

History

The 1929 Yanco Weir was built 1928-9 to divert flows from the

Murrumbidgee River The Murrumbidgee River () is a major tributary of the Murray River within the Murray–Darling basin and the second longest river in Australia. It flows through the Australian state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, desce ...

to the Yanko, Colombo and Billabong Creeks System for irrigation. In 1980 the Weir was reconstructed and its diversion capacity was enlarged to per year. This increased capacity has resulted in significant increase in irrigation development along the creek system. , a new weir was erected nearby at the diversion, and the 1929 weir was concreted over. The 1929 weir is now not in operation. The site of the 1929 weir contains many remnants of early structure.

Description

The 1929 Yanco Weir is located approximately downstream of Narrandera. The Weir measures between abutments. It consists of concrete sill floor surmounted by several concrete

piers Piers may refer to: * Pier, a raised structure over a body of water * Pier (architecture), an architectural support * Piers (name), a given name and surname (including lists of people with the name) * Piers baronets, two titles, in the baronetages ...

of about high. The concrete sill floor, originally reinforced with timber piles and sheet pilings, has been further reinforced with concrete piles and sheet piling during the 1980 reconstruction. The weir has been concreted over due to the commencement in usage of the new weir constructed nearby. The immediate grounds of the 1929 weir contain evidence of early usage, with remnants of many early structures such as the poles used for manual operation of the weir gates, scales showing past flood water level, etc.

Modifications and dates

Concreted over . No longer in use.

Further information

Preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for weir and grounds, including all remnants and evidence of early usage is highly recommended.DLWC S170 Register.

Heritage listing

As at 8 December 2000, the 1929 Yanco Weir is one of the earliest weirs built on the Murrumbidgee River to regulate the flow of water to the

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) is geographically located within the Riverina area of New South Wales. It was created to control and divert the flow of local river and creek systems for the purpose of food production. The main river s ...

. It is associated with the historical development of the area and provides a good source for interpretation of the changing needs of the irrigation system. The site contains many remnants of early structures related to the early weir. Yanco Weir was listed on the

on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. Yanco Old Weir is a highly significant structure which dates back to the earliest phases in development of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. It was an integral part of the development of the Murray Irrigation Scheme. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The land around the water has been developed with tourism and recreation in mind. Native and exotic trees line the banks of the pool and birdlife inhabit the waters. Together, the weir, flora and fauna create an aesthetically pleasing environment.Austral Archaeology 2007 The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. Yanco Old Weir was essential to the development of farming in the area, assisting not just original settlers but also soldier settlers after both World Wars. The area has also long been a popular recreation area. It is an important and widely recognised landmark. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. Notwithstanding alterations made in the 1970s, the weir is a good example of weir construction dating to the early days of the Murrumbidgee irrigation Scheme.

References

Bibliography

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Attribution

External links

{{Commons category-inline, Yanco Weir New South Wales State Heritage Register Yanco, New South Wales Dams in New South Wales Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register Dams completed in 1929 1929 establishments in Australia Weirs Murrumbidgee River