The final concrete pour on Queensland’s Rookwood Weir is set to occur in the coming weeks following the completion of the weir’s crest last week.
The weir in the state’s central region, comprises 13 massive structures, each 16.2 metres in height and 15.5 metres wide which has created a curved top for water to flow over. Full supply volume will be 74,325 megalitres.
Construction of the 202 metre spillway is now complete with more than 129,500 cubic metres of the 131,000 now poured, according to the Queensland Government.
With the spillway complete, the weir can now store any significant inflows it receives from the upstream Lower Fitzroy River catchment.
The construction workforce of 140 remain onsite to complete the weir, including placing the final 1500 cubic metres of concrete for the 350 metre structure.
The Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said at its peak, there were 325 workers onsite, including 30 apprentices and trainees. He added that construction of Rookwood Weir occurs around the clock.
“Most of the concrete for the weir structure has been placed in the evenings and early hours of the morning, where favourable temperatures and conditions allow the concrete to cure slowly,” he said.
“The final concrete element which will protect the weir structure from erosion will be completed in the coming weeks.”
Image: Rookwood Weir at 65% complete. Source: Sunwater.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is our weekly news journalist and the editor of Concrete in Australia magazine for 10 years. She has been heavily involved in all forms of engineering since 2013; part of a 30-year writing career across a range of subjects and media.