Nogoa Mackenzie Weirs & Barrages

Nogoa Mackenzie Weirs & Barrages

History

Nogoa Mackenzie Weirs

Selma Weir on the Nogoa River, which opened in 1953, marked the beginning of irrigation works that transformed the farm economy and helped Emerald’s expansion.

The agricultural potential of the Emerald area was further boosted with improved water supply from 1968, with the scheme modified in the 1970s in recognition of significant demand for water in the Blackwater District with the opening up of the area’s vast coal resources. This included construction of Bingegang Weir in 1975, raised in 1998, Tartrus Weir, completed in 1986, and the raising of the existing Bedford Weir in 1997.

Water from the scheme and its weirs now supplies coal mining developments on the Bowen Basin, along with irrigation for cotton, citrus, grapes, wheat and sunflowers, as well as urban water for Emerald, Blackwater, Bluff, Tieri, Dysart and Middlemount.

Did you know?

Water supply has contributed to Emerald’s population growing from 3,000 people in 1976 to more than 12,000 people.

Mass concrete weir
Bedford Weir
19,973 ML

Facilities

  • Boat Ramp

  • Car Parking

  • Road Access

  • Lookout

  • Picnic Areas

  • Toilets

  • Rubbish Bins

  • BBQs

  • Treated Water

  • Camping

Additional information

Management

Bedford Weir is owned and managed by Sunwater. Central Highlands Regional Council manage the right bank foreshore, recreation area and camping ground under lease. Blackwater Powerboat & Ski Club owns and manages the boat ramp.

Public access

Public access is permitted in designated areas only. There is no public access to the weir infrastructure. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.  

Camping             

Camping grounds at Bedford Weir are owned and managed by Central Highlands Regional Council. For information on camping contact Central Highlands Regional Council.

Boating and fishing

Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Boating and fishing occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Boat operators are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.

Onshore fishing

Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Onshore fishing occurs in the surrounding area (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded that fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and is not permitted by law.

Swimming, water-based recreation          

Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir. Swimming and water-based recreation occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded to read the signs, check for hazards, know your swimming ability and enjoy the waterway safely.

Known additional hazards

Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.

Mass concrete weir
Bingegang Weir
8,060 ML

Facilities

  • Boat Ramp

  • Car Parking

  • Road Access

  • Lookout

  • Picnic Areas

  • Toilets

  • Rubbish Bins

  • BBQs

  • Treated Water

  • Camping

Additional information

Management

Bingegang Weir and the measuring tower are owned and managed by Sunwater.  

Public access

There is no public access to the weir or weir area. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.  

Camping             

Sunwater does not permit camping near the weir.

Boating and fishing

Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Operators who choose to boat and fish in the surrounding waterway (not owned by Sunwater) are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.

Onshore fishing

Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Onshore fishing occurs in the surrounding area (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded that fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and is not permitted by law.

Swimming and water recreation

Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir.

Known additional hazards

Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.

Mass concrete weir
Selma Weir
1,180 ML

Facilities

  • Boat Ramp

  • Car Parking

  • Road Access

  • Lookout

  • Picnic Areas

  • Toilets

  • Rubbish Bins

  • BBQs

  • Treated Water

  • Camping

Additional information

Management

Selma Weir is owned and managed by Sunwater.

Public access

There is no public access to the weir or weir area. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.  

Camping             

Sunwater does not permit camping near the weir.

Boating and fishing

Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Operators who choose to boat or fish in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater) are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.

Onshore fishing

Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and not permitted by law.

Swimming and water recreation

Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir.

Known additional hazards Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time

Mass concrete weir
Tartrus Weir
12,000 ML

Facilities

  • Boat Ramp

  • Car Parking

  • Road Access

  • Lookout

  • Picnic Areas

  • Toilets

  • Rubbish Bins

  • BBQs

  • Treated Water

  • Camping

Additional information

Management

Tartrus Weir is owned and managed by Sunwater.

Public access

This storage is only accessible to Sunwater through private property. There is no public access to the weir or weir area. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.  

Camping             

Sunwater does not permit camping near the weir.

Boating and fishing

Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Operators who choose to boat or fish in the surrounding waterway (not owned by Sunwater) are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.

Onshore fishing

Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and not permitted by law.

Swimming and water recreation

Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir.

Known additional hazards

Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time

Disclaimer:  Sunwater makes no statement, representation, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and users should not rely on, any information provided by Sunwater above, or generally in relation to conditions at a Sunwater storage (Information).  Sunwater disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs a user might incur as a result of use of such Information, and any Information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason.  Users accept sole responsibility and the risk associated with any use of Information, irrespective of the purpose to which such use or results are applied.