HISTORICAL
The Grace Burn weir and its aqueduct is significant
as a surviving element of the first Watts River scheme, constructed in 1891.
The Bubblehole is a
popular feature of the Maroondah Reservoir park since its opening in 1927, where the water from Grace Burn Weir enters the
reservoir from an exposed section of riveted iron pipe The name The Bubblehole has been coined to describe the resultant surge
of water as it enters the reservoir.
The Grace Burn aqueduct fed water into the Maroondah aqueduct downstream of the original Watts River weir.
The Watts River weir was submerged beneath the waters of Maroondah Reservoir in 1927. Water
from Grace Burn then fed directly into the enlarged Maroondah Reservoir.
DESCRIPTION
The
Grace Burn weir is constructed of masonry and concrete, and collects water from the valley between Mt Riddell and Mt Juliet.
The aqueduct channel about 1.2 km long feeds into an 18 inch (460 mm) iron pipe, which runs for part of its length above ground
on timber supports, and partly under ground.
WALKING TRACK
Walkers are permitted to
use the management track, 3 km return, which starts at the main gate at the Maroondah Highway and continues to the Weir.
The Creswell pumping station is adjacent to the Aqueduct.
The Government proposes to close public access to the Weir, to minimise contamination by visitors, and to set up a new
walking track in the area.
The Aqueduct Track is designated as "Road 14". It joins gated "Road 6", at the Weir viewing point.
Road 6 is one of many "no public access" management roads in the catchment area, which leads around the base of rugged
Mt Riddell.
In the early 1900s, a picnic area and facilities were located near the Weir - sections of this remained until 2007, but
have now (2013) been removed. The early photos show visitors standing on the Weir infrastructure, but such access is no longer
permitted.
