SA Water is currently (2015/2019) upgrading the Kangaroo Creek Dam.
(Located in the Torrens Gorge, just above Castambul))
This upgrade will ensure the dam complies with ANCOLD (Australian National
Committee on Large Dams)
standards.
Construction began in late 2015, and completion is expected by September 2019.
The work will widen the spillway, raise the wall and strengthen the wall and the upgrades will
help manage major
floods and increase the dams ability to withstand earthquakes, however it will not increase the
dams capacity,
as the spillway height will be unchanged.
The dams existing flood management will be operational throughout the project.
Contractor Bardavcol Pty Ltd
Contract Value $78,513,994
Completion Date September 2018
Project Description
Major safety upgrade to the existing concrete lined rock fill dam to meet ANCOLD requirements
Excavation of 300,000m3 of rock to widen the spillway by up to 40m
Extension of the outlet tunnel and pipe work by approximately 50m
Buttressing of the existing rock fill embankment (200,000m3)
Raising of the embankment crest including extension of the concrete face slab using slip form techniques
Significant concrete works (32,000m3) to line the spillway including temperature sensitive mass pours and
ogee crest construction
Construction of post tensioned anchors to the existing ogee crest
Electrical, SCADA and security works
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir Torrens Gorge, SA. April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Dam - Wall Embankment and Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment and Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment and Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Dam - Wall Embankment and Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Dam - Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir - Wall Embankment and Spillway April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
Kangaroo Creek Reservoir Torrens Gorge, SA. April 2019 (Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - April 2019) |
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The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, near the Piccadilly Valley in the beautiful Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia,
feature displays of cool temperate climate plants. LHS
Lobethal Bushland Park provides habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including
Rare Maiden Hair Ferns and Leafy Greenhood Orchids.
During the 19th and early 20th century, before reticulated water was available to the towns in the Onkaparinga Valley,
two reservoirs in a 118 hectare property supplied water to the town of Lobethal and its major industry, the Onkaparinga Woolen Mills.
Early in 1982 the land was declared surplus to the requirements of the E & WS Department, and it was offered to the District Council of Onkaparinga
In December 1986 Lobethal Bushland Park was officially opened by the Governor Sir Donald B Dunstan.
The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens
Although perhaps best visited during spring and autumn (to see stunning displays
of magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias and roses) the gardens are a magnificent display at any time of the year.
These photos were taken in March (the beginning of autumn in Australia) 2021.
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection -
March 2021)
These photos were taken in June (the beginning of winter in Australia).
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Our Garden, Lobethal, SA, Australia.
A collection of photos from our garden Spring 2015
Nothing like a spring rain to bring out the beauty of flowers!
A collection of photos of our garden Spring 2014
A collection of photos of our garden Spring 2017
Spring 2017.
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
Spring 2017.
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
Spring 2017.
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
Spring 2017.
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2017)
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Birds from our garden
Eastern Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Meliphagidae
The Eastern Spinebill inhabits shrubs in open eucalypt forests, as well as shrubland,
heathland and suburban gardens.
They use their long, slender, decurved bills to probe
deep into flowers, at all levels from the canopy down to the undergrowth, to feed on
the sweet nectar.
Some plants appear to have evolved specially to be pollinated by them.
Fueled with this energy-rich nectar, Eastern Spinebills are also often seen actively
darting about on whirring, fluttering wings, after flying insects.
New Holland Honeyeater
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Meliphagidae
The New Holland Honeyeater is one of Australia’s most energetic birds.
Fuelled up on high-energy nectar taken from the flowers of banksias, eucalypts,grevilleas
and other trees and shrubs, they are always active and pugnacious. Whether they are dashing
in pursuit of a flying insect or chasing other honeyeaters away, the New Holland Honeyeater
is seldom seen sitting still. One of their more unusual activities is to conduct ‘Corroborrees’,
where up to a dozen birds congregate and noisily display together, fluttering their wings.
Eastern Spinebill
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - June 2020)
Newholland Honeyeater
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - June 2020)
(Photo Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - Circa 2020)
Bushland Park, Lobethal, SA, Australia.
The Native Orchid Society has catalogued 33 species of native orchid (some of which were thought to be extinct)
within the Park.
There are up to 100 bird species and 270 indigenous (native) plant species.
15% of the flora are rare and vulnerable,
including some species that are not found outside the park.
Bushland Park is located just outside of Lobethal on the Kenton Valley Road.
It has a picnic area with a playground over looking a lake
and walking trails with a great deal of flora and fauna.
This information is provided courtesy of The Friends of Bushland Park.
Visit their Web Site
A collection of photos from Lobethal's Bushland Park