Dights Falls Weir Project
Melbourne Water manages the heritage-listed Dights Falls Weir in the Yarra River in Abbotsford, which is a popular inner Melbourne landmark.
Studies have found the weir is in poor condition and is a barrier to fish moving naturally up and down the river. After investigating different options we have determined that the weir needs to be replaced and a vertical slot fishway needs to be constructed.
Dights Falls history
The first weir at the site was built in the 1890s to provide water to Melbourne’s first water powered flour mill. The current weir structure was built in the 1940s and partly replaced in the 1960s.
Dights Falls also has a significant indigenous history. It was a camping and meeting place for the Wurundjeri tribe prior to European settlement.
What’s happening?
Melbourne Water and the Waterways Alliance – a partnership between Ecodynamics, Fulton Hogan, SMEC and Melbourne Water – are currently working on a project to replace the aging Dights Falls weir and improve fish passage on the Yarra River in Abbottsford. The weir replacement and proposed construction of a vertical slot fishway will remove a major barrier to native fish migration in the Yarra.
The project is currently in its design phase. We are continuing to liaise with our key stakeholders about the project and intend to present a proposed design of the new weir and fishway to the community in August 2010. Construction is expected to occur in summer 2010-11.
Contact us / Further information
For more information about the project please call Martin Stern at the Waterways Alliance on 03 9289 7334 or contact us online.