WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND
COOPERS CREEK TRACK WALHALLA, BAW BAW SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
Local significance. Historical & archaeological significance, associated with a site showing poorly preserved features of a type that is very commonly represented in the mountain goldfields of Eastern Victoria.
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WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND - History
The history of this water race is not known. It may be associated with generic bank and river sluicing which was carried out on the Thomson River from 1864 to around 1900, or it may be associated with lead workings from the 1870s, specifically the lowest level sluice workings in the South Zone, as identified in Hermes 155688. It does not appear to be associated with the operations of the diversion tunnel works in 1912-13.WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND - Archaeological Significance
It is possible that the small fragmentary water race relates to bed and bank workings. Archaeological significance is associated with the site showing poorly preserved features of a type that is very commonly represented in the mountain goldfields of Eastern Victoria.
WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND - Historical Significance
The sluice and tunnel workings on the leads are fairly well-preserved examples of their type, but are commonly represented in mountain goldfields throughout Eastern Victoria and elsewhere. The diggings do not carry the level of technical information relating to this form of mining, or the level of archaeological potential to illuminate life on the diggings of places that have been elevated to the Victorian Heritage Register (eg Butchers Gully in the Castlemaine National Heritage Park). They are therefore of local historical and archaeological significance. It is likely that similar lead workings and remnant cultural features exist in similar environments all along the Thomson River.
WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND - Interpretation of Site
No firm evidence of nineteenth century bed & bank workings was located within the study area, and it is likely that any traces would have been destroyed by cyclical flooding of the river and the activities of the Thomson River Alluvial Gold & Tailings Recovery Company No Liability between 1912 and 1914. However, it is possible that the small fragmentary water race just above river level on the east side of the main bulge of Horseshoe Bend relates to these workings.
The water race is typical of low-volume water races in similar steep-sided situations in mountain goldfields. Water was diverted from the main river channel and run dowstream along the race to above the area or areas it was required for sluicing purposes. Often rudimentary timber gates were installed to control the outlet of water to the bank workings below. With the passage of time, only fragments of this race survive, the remainder having been eroded and flushed down into the river.
Heritage Study and Grading
Heritage Victoria (Projects) - Horseshoe Bend Gold Mining Area : Historic Heritage Survey
Author: Rob Kaufman / LRGM Services
Year: 2010
Grading:Heritage Inventory Description
WATER RACE, HORSESHOE BEND - Heritage Inventory Description
The water race is situated along a steep face above the east bank of the Thomson River, south of the north west zone lead workings. It appears to be washed away over much of its course, but several short, rock-retained sections are visible. This showed a rock retaining wall, and also a short section of race to the north. This appeared as a narrow side-cut bench, but one very small section was cut into bedrock in the profile of a water channel.
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THOMSON RIVER DIVERSION TUNNEL SITEVictorian Heritage Register H1990
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THOMSON RIVER MINE SHAFT & ADITVictorian Heritage Inventory
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THOMSON RIVER TAIL RACE/DIVERSION TUNNELVictorian Heritage Inventory
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