This photo shows the construction of the arched retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir.

Barossa Waterworks (now known as Barossa Reservoir) was built between 1899 and 1902 to supply water to Gawler and other northern country areas. The Barossa Reservoir was formed by damming the Yettie Creek gorge in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, a feat that took more than 400 men to achieve. Built at a cost of almost £170,000, the reservoir was hailed on completion as an engineering marvel, and at a total of 36 metres, was the highest in Australia. Later, its design was considered to be a radical innovation at the time and attracted international attention.