Councillors on tour to head of King River (1944)

The Rural City of Wangaratta's suggested pipeline from Lake William Hovell to Wangaratta is not such an original idea. Back in 1944 - 62 years ago - the Chronicle report below plans for two reservoirs, a major project by State Rivers and Water Supply Commission for irrigation at Glenmore, and a separate reservoir above the first at Akaringa to pipe water to Wangaratta via Glenrowan. That is a concept worth researching.

1944 was a dry year. That same edition of the Chronicle reported the North-East as a dustbowl. Temperatures in November were over the century across the state and there was even a report of a cyclist on the Snow Road being hit by Ibis that were flying at ground level under the dust cloud. And we think we have a drought!

The copy of the Chronicle referred to was found by Jim and Lauris Skins of whitfield when they replaced the lino in their house many years ago.

THE WANGARATTA CHRONICLE-DESPATCH
(Page 3) - WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1944

COUNCILLORS ON TOUR TO HEAD OF KING RIVER
WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES INSPECTED

On Sunday councillors and officers' of the borough and representatives of the Shire of Oxley made a tour of the King Valley, the object being to gain first hand knowledge of the upper reaches of the King river from which both municipalities view the possibilities of a water supply.

The tour came as the result of a suggestion by the Mayor, Cr. Jno Ryan. who expresssed the opinion that councillors might like to get first hand knowledge of the locality. An invitation was extended to Cr. W. G. Simpson (president). Major D. Reid (secretary) and Mr F. G. Cobham (engineer) of the Oxley Shire.

The journey was made by way of Hoy's bus, the party consisting of the Mayor, Crs. A. J. Sadler, W. J. Smith, J. P. Larkings, L. M. Vincent and V. Culph. Messrs J. McDonnell (town clerk), D. B. Smith (engineer), E. HoWell (pumping engineer), Cr. Simpson, Major Reid, Mr. Cobham, Mrs. Reid, Misses L. Forness, V. Sutton and J. Hunter, and Mr. H. G. Hannan ("Chronicle-Despatch"). Cr. Culph had spent the weekend fishing at Burrowes and joined the party there.

Mr E. Hoy piloted the bus, which took some skilful manoeuvring on the narrow road after the Upper King road beyond Cheshunt was left behind. A stop was made at a forest ranger's camp, not far from the site selected for the dam proposed by th Wangaratta Water Trust for its scheme for a water supply for Wangaratta. It might be mentioned in passing that amongst the equipment was an ice box, in which some liquid refreshment was packed, and after the long journey the party greatly enjoyed a cool drink.

Leaving Mr Hoy and the ladies at the camp with full instructions as to the best methods of procuring a supply of water for the midday meal, the remainder of the party then clambered along the steep bank of the King river till they came to the site of the proposed dam. Here informal discussion took place and a good deal of valuable information was gained. It might be mentioned that Mr. J. G. B. McDonald. Minister for Water supply, has promised to have made as early as possibk investigation of the major Glenmore) scheme, which carries with it a supply of water for the valley of the Fifteen Mile creek and Wangaratta could also get its supply from the scheme.

The Wangaratta proposal is a pipeline from Arkaringa with a 61 foot high and 500 feet long wall. It will impound 450 million gallons of water. That would ensure a supply for Wangaratta, and the summer flow of the river would then be by-passed by a channel cut along the bank of the river to below the dam, and the summer flow of the river would not be interfered with in any way. In February last, this flow was estimated at 2,500,000 gallons daily. At present there is a strong flow in the river and this became more apparent in the afternoon inspection when a tour was made upstream to inspect the area of about 80 acres which would bw covered, first being cleared if the borough dam is put in. Here the water is running much stronger and after the climb, all were eager to sample the water, pronouncing it excellent.

The surrounding country of tree clad hills is at its best at present, many prtty wild flowers, particularly of the orchid type, being admired.

The midday interval of course claimed the most attention. Those who had remained behind to procure supplies of water had found the task an arduous one, but they had the advantage of the remainder of the party for they had the pleasure of partaking of morning lunch.

All made a contribution to the midday meal, and the ladies served this in an appetising manner, and were duly thanked. During the meal, Cr Culph intimated that he had caught some nice trout, and the names of the party were placed in a hat, one young lady carrying of the main prize which was inspected with delightful anticipations later in the day.

Not all made the tour during the afternoon, but all enjoyed the outing. After four o'clock, a move was made for home, the ladies in the meantine haveing gone back to Burrough's to enjoy a bathe in the river. It was noted that CR Smith took charge of the fish on the return journey, and they left Cr Culph with his hat studded with all sorts of weird insects to entice the trout.

A stop was made at Glenmore where the site of the proposed dam of the major scheme was inspected. This was clearly shown, as it is designated a major scheme, first investigated by engineers of the Stae Rivers and Water Supply Commission in 1912. It will impouns 85,000 acre feet of water, and those present could only gasp at the nature of this vast scheme. It will remain for the Minister and the Commission to make the decision.

In order to gain a view of the valley of the King river and the valley of the Fifteen Mile and the Boggy creeks, a trip was made to Whitlands, and then the party lefy the bus, and looked out over the King Valley from a high peak of the Tolmie hills. Unfortunately, however, by this time the atmosphere was well charged with dust and visibility was greatly restricted.

Wangaratta was reached about 8.15, Cr Simpson leaving the party at Docker, after expressing appreciation for having taken part in a most enjoyable and instructive day.

It had been reasonably cool up in the hills, and when the party left the bus at Wangaratta, it was like getting into a furnace. The temperature had been 101 at Wangaratta during the day, but for the greater part of the day, the party had been enjoying cool and cloudy weather.

To the ordinary observer, a tour of this description opens up the great possibilities of the district if water conservation is brought about. The Fiteen Mile creek-Greta district badly needs water to tide farmers over the dry periods; Wangaratta and Glenrowan need town water supplies and then there is the great question of stock and domestic supplies for farmers lower down the King river.

All these problems are matters for the experts, but meanwhile Wangaratta and Glenrowan are urgently in need of an assured water supply. There is a suggestion that a pipeline from Akaringa could be taken to a reservoir at a high point in the Glenrowan district and from there a pipeline to Wangaratta. That however does not get over the difficulty of the Greta district. The pipeline direct drom Akaringa to Wangaratta might also serve Moyhu, whilst it is also stated that the Glenmore scheme will serve the whole area including Wangaratta and Glenrowan.

But it is all a a matter for the experts. Doubtless the Glenmore scheme would be a national scheme, one of those many schemes that will be brought into being in the rivers of this State, and particularly in the North East, harnessing the streams that the waters during the winter floods shall not be wasted but preserved for the summer months for a continuous flow in the rivers and the growing of more food for the increased populations of the towns that will come about as country areas are developed to a greater degree

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