344. Bodens Water Races - Surface Point. Ross Creek State Forest 10.8km

 U3A Hike No 344.



Hike Report By Barbara Whitfield

Three carloads of happy hikers set out on a beautiful sunny morning for the Boden’s Water Race walk.
We parked at Argyle Dam on Surface Hill Road and walked up a lovely sandy track through a green
glade of trees. 

Soon we reached a place where the water race transected the road and we then set off following the water race.
 
We trekked along the scrubby water track to Doctors Road where we stopped for morning tea next to the Bodens No.1 Dam. The breach in the dam wall is clearly visible where the original valve was removed that had allowed the water to be released as needed.  The value of the metal meant that they were usually reused elsewhere.

A little further on we had a look at the sign for the short Boden’s Water Race walk which provided lots of information about the water race system and included a photo of sluicing in progress.

We then traversed down and across the amazing remains from the water sluicing that allowed gold to be filtered out of the rocks and dirt. The area is extensive and deep, and it is hard to imagine the noise and water power that was used to remove all that dirt.

We finished with lunch back at the Argy Dam. Thanks to Gordon and Andrew for another interesting walk with insights into the gold mining of the area.


Photos by Andrew Parker




















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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

SIMILAR WALK IN 2020








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