'I am loathe to believe that we will attach greater value to the sight of Lowburn Bay stocked to capacity with a few water skiers on the incoming weekend tide than we will to the enjoyment of hundreds at picnics on the shade-dappled grassy banks of the rolling Clutha at Bendigo, which must be one of the most beautiful stretches of flowing water in the world.' - K.F. O'Connor, Multiple Resource Use in the Upper Clutha Valley, Journal of Hydrology (NZ) Vol 14, No. 2, 1975.

The Lowburn Bridge

Opened in 1938 to replace the heavily used ferry, the Lowburn Bridge was constructed of concrete spans, forming a single-lane structure with an unusual arch. The approaches to the bridge on both sides were ramped with the possible intention of allowing floodwaters to pass around the bridge. The bridge was sited exactly where the ferry had been, with an avenue of trees on the western side leading directly to the nearby Welcome Home Hotel, at a 'T' intersection at the centre of Lowburn. Permanent homes and holiday houses were interspersed among the trees.


Lowburn Bridge, February 1992, after the trees and buildings were cleared


Prior to the filling of the Dunstan reservoir - in three stages between 1992-93, the Lowburn area was entirely cleared of trees and buildings, but the bridge was left. Before the waters rose a car was parked on the centre span of the bridge, and it still rests there today, submerged in the murky gloom, as a ghostly point of interest for divers.

 

About This Site

A brief history of Lowburn before the Clyde dam inundated the turquoise river, flooding our campsites, farms, and orchards. Where now, can we go to sit in the dappled shade beside the swift crystal waters, cooled by the moving air and the song of the river? Where is our river paradise? It is 60ft under.

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