Burlong Pool, Western Australia Explained

Burlong Pool^[1] is a section of the Avon River in Western Australia between Spencers Brook and Northam.^[2]

Water trains

Burlong Pool was a former railway stopping place, which was used as a location for drawing water into the water trains^{[3] [4]} to the Eastern Goldfield locations prior to the completion of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.^[5]

During dry weather in the late 1890s up to five separate water trains per day would be drawing water from the pool and travelling between Northam and the goldfields.^[6]

Swimming location

Following the completion of the Goldfields water supply pipeline the water was no longer extracted from the pool, but the location was notable for being used as the Northam swimming carnival location,^[7] swimming location^[8] and rail excursions,^[9] and the site of drownings.^{[10] [11]}

Wagyl location

As a long deep pool that was well watered in summertime, the location was known to the Noongar as a place where the Wagyl had a summer resting place.^{[12] [13]}

Military history

Burlong Pool was owned by the Western Australian Government Railways. It was leased by the Australian Army during World War II. During the 1940s and 1950s it was the location for training for water crossings, bridge building and water obstacles. Many bridge parts and tools are believed to lie on the bottom of the pool.^[14] A rock river crossing allowed access from the rear of the Northam Army Camp to Burlong and Spencers Brook Roads.

See also

• Railway dams and reservoirs of Western Australia

Notes and References

1. Due to its proximity to Northam, some references are found as calling the location – Burlong Pool, Northam
2. Also referred to at times as the Burlong Swimming Pool News: [No heading]. ]. . Perth . 21 September 1933 . 15 November 2012 . 4 Supplement: The Western Mail . National Library of Australia . 11 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200311001016/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/0 . dead .
3. News: West Australian Goldfields. . . Adelaide . 5 May 1894 . 15 November 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Rainfall on the Fields. . . Perth . 30 December 1897 . 15 November 2012 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: The Railway Water Supply. . . Perth . 23 December 1897 . 14 November 2012 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Northam. . . Perth . 17 December 1897 . 15 November 2012 . 24 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Northam Swimming Carnival. . . Perth . 2 December 1933 . 15 November 2012 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
8. Web site: Storylines / Military: Life at the Camp | Northam Army Camp Heritage Association (NACHA).
9. News: Excursion to Burlong Pool. . . Perth . 6 December 1934 . 14 November 2012 . 9. Late City. National Library of Australia.
10. News: Boy Drowned In Burlong Pool. . . Perth . 22 February 1937 . 15 November 2012 . 1. Home . National Library of Australia.
11. News: An Accountant Drowned. . . WA . 26 October 1903 . 15 November 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
12. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-01-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110219154526/http://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/resources/Burlongpool.pdf . 2011-02-19 .
13. News: Esperance Express. Sep 8, 2010. 19. Interpretive signs along with restoration of the natural environment and promotion of Nyungar culture have been instigated at Burlong Pool near Northam.
14. Book: McKenzie-Smith, G.. 1994. The ebb and flow of the Australian Army in Western Australia, 1941 to 1945. Grimwade Publications. 978-0-646-17768-7.