Damn Weir Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache commences in the park and viewing area for Lake Glenmaggie and the weir wall. The park has a historical display of the building of the dam along with an under cover eating area, BBQ and children’s play ground, so take some time to enjoy the facilities.
The cache itself is located a short drive to a lookout which gives a separate perspective of the dam. The case is a medium size ammo can.
Lake Glenmaggie (Damn Weir)
In 1919 construction commenced on a concrete dam to provide irrigation water to farmers on the Macalister River flats. The dam was enlarged in the mid 1950’s and today provides water to the Macalister Irrigation District, the largest irrigation district south of the Great Dividing Range.
During 2002-2003 financial year, over 150,000 ML was delivered to nearly 1000 customers. The dam also has a small hydro-power production plant creating power from the released water.
Being an irrigation dam, the water is collected during the winter (especially after the winter snow thaw). The dam is generally empty from June to September with just the Macalister River meandering through the mud flats. However, at this time the former farm properties are exposed and a feel for life prior to the construction of the dam can be felt. During the summer months the dam is generally full to over flowing and the lake, like most lakes, is alive with people and power toys.
In March 1942 a Wirraway aircraft crashed into the lake. In 1980 whilst the lake was at it's lowest level for 38 years the wheels and oleo-struts were recovered from the weir bottom and are now displayed at the recreation area.
In 2007 extremely heavy rainfall in the Macalister Valley caused extreme flooding along the river causing extensive damage from the township of Licola down to the Lake. It is believed that 14 caravans missing from a caravan park in the valley are still on the bottom of the lake after they were washed away by the flood waters. The massive quantity of water flowing down the valley and into the lake was unable to be discharged from the dam wall until reaching the flood gates. When it was finally able to be released into the Macalister River flats it caused devastating flooding to the local community and towns such as Newry and Tinamba.
The surge of water ripped through the lower valley from the weir wall to the flats taking with it the bridge which crossed the Macalister River near the weir wall. The old bridge has now been replaced with a shinny new bridge but there are no guarantees that a similar set of circumstances won’t also take this one in the future.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvf vf n guerr fgntr zhygv. Gur erfg vf hc gb lbh.
Treasures
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