--- title: WA's experimental James Dam added to state heritage register description: Constructed in 1914, James Dam has been listed on the Register of Heritage Places as Western Australia's first experimental roaded catchment dam. image: https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/james-dam-wa.jpg --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - 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Featuring a square dam with a concrete inlet chute and a "wave-like" roaded catchment, the dam was initially constructed as part of the Western Australian government’s program to provide water to the region during the early 20th century. In 1949, the dam was expanded using new technologies and materials to develop a more efficient method of water collection and storage for agricultural areas, increasing its capacity from 1.4 ML to 9.1 ML. WA Heritage Minister David Templeman said the dam was an incredible achievement at the time, establishing a new and effective way of collecting water in an area that had very poor rainfall and supported agriculture in the region. "The design also proved that roaded catchments were considerably efficient in capturing and directing rainwater. This simple design was very cost effective at the time and allowed farmers in the area to design smaller scale versions for their own farm dams,” he said. "The surrounding area at James Dam was also used for the community to gather socially and play cricket or tennis. While the cricket pitch still remains, the tennis courts no longer exist." The innovation included a roaded catchment — a sloped area with a corrugated surface that collects rainwater and channels water into a dam – and was considered to be one of the greatest single advances in [water security for the state](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/money-flows-into-wa-desalination-project). ## Suited to the conditions WA Water Minister David Templeman said the corrugated ridges and furrows on the roaded catchment were particularly well suited to the arid conditions of the eastern Wheatbelt region. "The compacted soil produced a surface that was more impervious to water absorption, thereby reducing the time that the rainwater would be exposed for evaporation or could be absorbed into the soil,” he said.  "While not currently operational, inclusion in the State Register will ensure the protection of James Dam's heritage values for future generations and recognises the technological innovations of Water Corporation and its predecessors in helping facilitate the development of the eastern Wheatbelt." Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne said protecting WA’s  heritage is important, and that James Dam is significant historically, as well as scientifically and socially. "The dam is representative of the grit and determination of our rural farming communities like Lake Grace and became a place to gather and recreate. I am grateful to be a part of a Government that values and protects our history,” she said.  [ Dams ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/dams) [ Western Australia (WA) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/western-australia) [ Heritage ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/heritage) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=WA's%20experimental%20James%20Dam%20added%20to%20state%20heritage%20register&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/was-experimental-james-dam-added-to-state-heritage-register) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/was-experimental-james-dam-added-to-state-heritage-register) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/was-experimental-james-dam-added-to-state-heritage-register) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/was-experimental-james-dam-added-to-state-heritage-register) ## RELATED NEWS ### [ WA’s Mundaring Weir dam gets $14m upgrade ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/was-mundaring-weir-dam-gets-14m-upgrade) Water Source Western Australia’s Mundaring Weir dam is set to receive a $14 million upgrade in a bid to safeguard water provision for the region. [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/was-mundaring-weir-dam-gets-14m-upgrade) ### [ Money flows into WA desalination project ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/money-flows-into-wa-desalination-project) Water Source Public and private investors have committed $396 million to fund a project to reduce salinity in Western Australia’s (WA)… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/money-flows-into-wa-desalination-project) ### [ Desalination of WA dam water provides irrigation relief ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/desalination-of-wa-dam-water-provides-irrigation-relief) Water Source The Western Australian government has committed $37 million to help fund an innovative solution to a long standing salinity problem… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/desalination-of-wa-dam-water-provides-irrigation-relief) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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