The Coliban Main Channel: Flume 1

Originally there were at least 16 flumes (or wooden aqueducts) built along the entire length of the Coliban Main Channel. However, in the Faraday-Sutton Grange Road to Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road Section (The Coliban Main Channel: A Walking Guide, page 105) I adopted the numbering system used by a reporter in the 1870's which meant that Flume 1 becomes the first aqueduct bridge north of the Faraday-Sutton Grange Road (when in fact it's something like the 7th from Malmsbury Reservoir). Here's a historic photo taken prior to the flume's demolition. The flume can be seen in the distance just past the bend. Note the original structure of the channel with an ashlar granite wall built only on the downslope side.

photo: Kyneton Historical Society

    Here is a present day photo taken from close to the above vantage point. The wooden flume and channel leading up to the flume have been replaced by a concrete race (most likely constructed since WW2). The original granite wall can be seen to the right of the new concrete shell.

    Here is a present day photo of how this flume (one of the shorter flumes along the channel) looks today. Note the inlet abutment (right hand foreground) into which the wooden aqueduct would have been slotted.