The 75-Miles Dam in Warwick : The World's Oldest Concrete Arch Dam

Abstract

Since the early European settlements in Australia, the coastal and continental development of the country has been linked with the availability of water supply. Australia's economy has been highly dependant upon its agriculture and railway network which in turn rely on surface irrigation and railway water supply for steam locomotives. During the 19th century, a series of arch dams was built for these purposes. They included advanced technological features which were acknowledged world-wide. One advanced design was the world's first concrete arch dam : 75-Miles dam completed in 1880. The 75-Miles dam was built by Henry C. STANLEY as a water supply for the Warwick-Stanthorpe railway line. The 1880 structure was a thick arch. The dam was heightened in 1901 by addition of a concrete wall and three buttresses. The dam is still used today as a reserve. In the period 1880-1900, the Australian arch dam experience was renowned. The 75-Miles demonstrates the soundness of the arch design and it highlights that the skills of the Queensland engineers