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Anacotilla River Stone Weir

Main South Rd, Second Valley

Constructed in 1907 by Garnet Kelly and his father Edgar Kelly, the weir is an early example of water being harnessed for irrigation and driving machinery.

The five-foot-thick stone weir was honed from the bedrock and lifted into place. Six inch iron pipes were laid for over a quarter of a mile which provided 18,000 gallons of water an hour to flood-irrigate lucerne paddocks for fattening stock before the market. There was also a T-piece and valve that ran a Pelton turbine waterwheel to drive a chaff cutter and grinders. The weir still provides landholders of today a reliable water source.

Garnet Francis Kelly was born on 12 July 1883 at Anacotilla, Second Valley, where, but for brief intervals, he spent the whole of his life. During World War 1 he enlisted in the army and departed for France from Southampton on 23 November 1916. He was killed in action on the morning of 8 January 1917 at Armentières, France and is buried at Cité Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentières.

This site is on private property.

YDHS resources relating to this place 

4 photographs
1 document

Anacotilla River Stone Weir

Resources last updated June 2024

To access photos and records contact the Society. 

Yankalilla & District Historical Society supports the cultural, spiritual, ecological and economic regeneration of the Aboriginal peoples of this place assisted by the actions and power of individuals, organisations and governments.

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 yank.hist.soc@gmail.com 

PO Box 421, Yankalilla 5203

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