Victoria River Goldfields
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to generate electricity. 2 This is peculiar for in the shortages. Water was to be dammed up at the commencement of the water race by means of an earthen wall which would back the water up 1.5 miles. The holding capacity would have been 250,000,000 gallons thereby avoiding all problems with frosts and droughts. There is no apparent reason why this work was not completed but its neglect was critical. Because of the often inadequate water supply, men in some sections of the works were regularly sent home due to power shortages. Dry spells continued to affect the operations for the next few years, so in 1916 all hands were set to work to rectify the situation and build a dam above the generating plant. When she first substantial rains fell however it washed out. The continual stoppages took their toll and in August 1916 the mine finally closed down. Two months later the plant was auctioned having first been offered to the town of Omeo as a means of lighting the town. No one wanted it and it was not until 1917 that the equipment was sold to a Tasmanian silver mine. Old timers blame the hydro electric scheme for the ultimate failure of the mine, but without it it was doomed anyway. 4 Whatever the reason it* has left us with a remarkable piece of engineering although today little remains. The old water race now forms the road which takes you out to Victoria River Falls. On the Cobungra River the only evidence to be seen are the concrete footings of the power station overlooked at the top of the spur by the settling dam and concrete edifice. Even the pipeline down to the river has gone leaving only an overgrown depression in the side of the hill. |
 Victoria River Power Station site. |
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