Dam Churchman Brook - Water Corporation

Churchman Brook
Dam

Churchman Brook Dam
Churchman Brook Dam in the scenic Darling Ranges is
one of Perth’s most attractive picnic spots.
History of the dam
Built in the 1920s, the dam has always held a special
charm for visitors.
In the summer of 1923, the people of Perth were
protesting about the City’s inadequate water supply.
The Premier, Sir James Mitchell, announced the
launch of the ’Hills Scheme’, as it was called, to solve
the problem of chronic water shortages. The scheme
involved the construction of three reservoirs in the Hills
to serve the City and three pipehead dams to be built
as a short-term solution.
The project began with the construction of a reservoir
and pipehead on Churchman Brook. At the same time,
pipehead dams were also built on the upper Canning at
Araluen and on Wungong Brook.
Churchman Brook Dam, completed in 1929, provided
Perth with a substantial portion of its water supply until
1937. Difficult and isolated working conditions, heavy
rainfall and bad roads made the project a challenge for
engineers and labourers alike. As with other dam projects
in the Hills Scheme, workers lived on site in temporary
dwellings. In winter, horses that pulled heavy rollers to
compact the dam wall sank up to their bellies in clay.
Workers cleared the reservoir site by hand.

Other dams
Churchman Brook Dam is just one of the dams where
the Water Corporation has provided facilities for your
enjoyment.
Approximately half of Perth’s water supply and most
of the water distributed through the Goldfields and
Agricultural System now comes from catchments in the
Darling Range.
These supply water of very high quality at a low cost to
the community.

Have a great day out
Barbecues and picnics
Churchman Brook Dam has always been a favourite
destination, thanks to its scenic beauty, excellent facilities
and proximity to Perth.
It has five picnic areas, most with free gas barbecues. A
large grassed playing area is ideal for families. Nearby,
younger children can have fun in a modern playground.
Walking paths
Add to the enjoyment of a day at Churchman Brook Dam
by following marked walk trails through natural bush.
Wildlife is abundant and in the wildflower season from
July to November the surrounding bush is carpeted with
native flowers.
A pathway also leads from the picnic area at the base
of the dam wall to the top of the wall for an excellent
viewing point.

Your safety and the security
of our water services
When visiting our sites please ensure your safety by
staying on the signed and formed pathways, roads and
recreational areas. Be aware of uneven surfaces and
walking hazards and take care when moving about the
area.
Please do:
• Follow and comply with all directional and
informational signs.
• Always monitor the whereabouts of children as they
explore the site.
• Report all safety hazards and suspicious behaviour by
calling 13 13 75.
Please do not:
• Climb on pipework or other operational infrastructure.
• Climb walls, fences or bridges.
• Deface safety and security signs.
• Trespass into signposted operational and ’No Entry’
areas.
• Attempt to operate operational taps, valves or controls.
• Block emergency and operational access gates and
roadways with vehicles.

Road
Walkway
Churchman Brook
Toilets
Boundary
Soldiers Road
Disabled Toilets
Picnic Area
Weir
ENTRANCE
Gate closes 6pm
Parking
Pathways to top
of Dam Wall
Building
Gas Barbecue
No Public Access
Waterfall
Footbridge
Playground
Picnic
Area
Dam
Wall
No Public Access
Chain Barrier
Spillway
Footbridge
Churchman
Brook
Reservoir
Pedestrian Access
Only to Dam Wall
Churchman Brook Road
Did you know...?
Churchman Brook Dam –
Earthfill Embankment Dam
Concrete
Apron
Reservoir capacity 2.24 million kilolitres
Surface area at full storage 24 hectares
Catchment area 16 square kilometres
Reservoir length 1.4 kilometres
Height above lowest
foundation
26 metres

N
A
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C
O
N
A
I
D
N
I
PEEL
INLET
Fremantle
Kwinana Fwy
Mandurah
Great
Midland
Albany Hwy
Serpentine
How to get there
From Perth City centre, take Albany Highway
towards Armadale. Just beyond the suburb of
Kelmscott, turn left at traffic lights onto Brookton
Highway. Follow the highway for 5km then turn
right onto Soldiers Road. The dam entrance is
approximately 2km further on the left. The dam is
open to visitors until 6pm during Summer, Autumn
and Spring. Closed 5pm in Winter.
Further information
For more information about this dam and others in
Western Australia call 13 13 85 or visit our website
www.watercorporation.com.au
ISBN 1 74043 274 6
November 2009
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
Roleystone
South Western
Fwy
Eastern
Mundaring
Brookton Hwy
Jarrahdale
Hwy
Albany Hwy