Goolwa Barrages

They were constructed principally to reduce salinity levels in the lower reaches of the River Murray, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert, but also to stabilise the river level, for both upstream irrigation and pumping.

[1][2] From the 1900s, with the advent of large irrigation schemes, landowners along the lower reaches of the river strongly urged for the construction of barrages, primarily to keep the water fresh in the lower reaches of the River Murray, as well as Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina.

The system consists of five barrages extending from Sir Richard Peninsula in the west to Pelican Point on the northern side of the mouth of the Coorong in the east, crossing five channels between the mainland and three islands.

From west to east, the five barrages are named Goolwa, Mundoo, Boundary Creek, Ewe Island and Tauwitchere.

[2] The Goolwa Barrage connects Sir Richard Peninsula on the mainland 35°31′43″S 138°48′29″E / 35.528552°S 138.808077°E / -35.528552; 138.808077 with Hindmarsh Island 35°31′24″S 138°48′33″E / 35.523210°S 138.809190°E / -35.523210; 138.809190.

Goolwa Barrage viewed from the walkway - note the discoloured freshwater on the left hand side
Goolwa Barrage looking towards Hindmarsh Island
Aerial view of the River Murray barrages, with superimposed text providing locations of Goolwa barrage, Mundoo barrage, Boundary Creek barrage, Ewe Island barrage and Tauwitchere barrage, as viewed from the Coorong towards the Murray Mouth, circa 1940 (State Library of South Australia - PRG-1258/2/546).