SA-Plan of Proposed Works for Locking and Improving the Patawalonga Creek at Glenelg.

Rare 1880 plan of the proposed improvements of the Patawalonga, Glenelg, South Australia.

The first advocate for damming of the Patawalonga was Thomas King MP, who introduced a Bill into the State Parliament to enable the Corporation of Glenelg to construct such a dam in 1876. Damming, apart from enabling the Patawalonga to be navigable and thus a safe harbour for yachts and other recreational watercraft, was seen as a means of reducing or removing the odour from the estuary of the river. The dam was ultimately constructed in around 1885.

The plan consists of two main plans, a smaller plan and two profile sketches. The first plan is of the mouth of the Patawalonga and Holdfast Bay with proposed sea wall, lock gates and instructions for dredging the basin and land reclamation along Adelphi Terrace to the mouth. Accompanying this is a profile sketch of the proposed sea wall and lock with measurements. The second plan ‘General plan of Patawalonga Creek from sea to River Sturt’ shows the creek from the Sturt River through the Hundred of Yatala on the eastern side and the Hundred of Adelaide on the western side. Details include military bridge and footbridge to Holdfast Bay. The smaller plan is ‘Proposed upper weir above junction with River Sturt’ plus a profile with measurements.

The harbour scheme was moved early in the 1880s and although there was some opposition a poll of ratepayers voted for it to go ahead. The Glenelg Council proceeded with work which included a seawall, lock gates, upper weir, and wharves. The cost was estimated at £12,000. By June 1886 the work was completed. The Mayor reported: It has been shown that with reasonable care a large body of water can be retained, pleasant to the eye, a treasure to boatmen, and conducive to the improvement of property and adding attractiveness to the town. However, the gates were not a success. Built to open outward, controlled by chains on drums operated by a windlass, they never properly closed or opened. A large volume of water came down the Patawalonga Creek on 22, 23, and 24 June 1887 and, although the sluice gates were open, not enough water could be let out until eventually the gates gave way. It took the Glenelg Council 28 years to pay off the debt incurred. The Advertiser, 10 October 1931, p. 16.