Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. This is the oldest large dam still in use in New Zealand, being five years older than the lower Karori Dam, Wellington. In fact these two dams and the Eweburn Dam (1900) are the only nineteenth century dams still in use in New Zealand. The Ross Creek Reservoir was brought into commission in 1867, after abortive attempts by a private company to build it in 1863. A new plan, designed by the engineer Ralph Donkin, was put forward in January 1864 by another private company, The Water Works Company, which was backed by a provincial guarantee. The work was eventually begun in September 1865, with 60-70 men under the contractor, David Proudfoot, making the stormwater channel. The scheme was finished in 1867. It was to be sufficient to supply 20 gallons per head to 20,000 people, covered ten acres, and the cost was estimated at £30,000. It was christened the Royal Albert Dam, a name which was promptly forgotten. The reservoir was too low to supply the higher parts of the city and the expanding suburbs, and in the course of discussion with the city it was decided that the Company should be bought out so that the city could manage the expansion of the system. The City took over in 1875. The dam is still a functional part of the city water supply and has a considerable working life.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is a typical example of a nineteenth century earth dam. The stone lined channels are particularly fine examples of functional nineteenth century stonework. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: The Ross Creek reservoir is in a pleasant forested gully and is part of a favoured walking and jogging area for people from the nearby suburbs.