Often overlooked by the collective memory, and in particular by the Mont-Dorians, this old dam has many secrets to share on the subject of the construction of our capital, Nouméa. Surprises and discoveries in the History of this site!
A few anecdotes from the history of the country, in particular, as concerns access to water... A good discovery!
Until 1875, there was no installation worthy of the name that supplied New Caledonian households with potable water. The idea of being able to simply turn on a tap and have water on demand was unimaginable. At the time, there was nothing more than a network of rain-fed wells.
Two years later, in 1877, the first dam in the area, located at the bottom of the Yahoué Valley, was inaugurated. This was not the result of chance. The location was strategic: the Yahoué river was the closest river to Nouméa. The Yahoué dam was connected to an 11 km pipeline the supplied homes first in the city centre, then in the Vallée-du-Tir. The dam was decisive in taking control of the water situation, which would still require at least a century’s worth of work.
For the time, the site was colossal. Each part of the pipe was transported by merchant navy ship, embarking from mainland France.
Fifteen years later, a new dam was built: the Dumbéa dam, with a pipe of more than 28 km that ran from the current Dumbéa Provincial Park, to the Montagne Coupée, to another infrastructure project - the Semaphore - but that's part of another story...
Did you know that this "forgotten" dam hid within it such an important secret from New Caledonia’s history? Pay it a visit without further delay and see this piece of History for yourself!
Until 1875, there was no installation worthy of the name that supplied New Caledonian households with potable water. The idea of being able to simply turn on a tap and have water on demand was unimaginable. At the time, there was nothing more than a network of rain-fed wells.
Two years later, in 1877, the first dam in the area, located at the bottom of the Yahoué Valley, was inaugurated. This was not the result of chance. The location was strategic: the Yahoué river was the closest river to Nouméa. The Yahoué dam was connected to an 11 km pipeline the supplied homes first in the city centre, then in the Vallée-du-Tir. The dam was decisive in taking control of the water situation, which would still require at least a century’s worth of work.
For the time, the site was colossal. Each part of the pipe was transported by merchant navy ship, embarking from mainland France.
Fifteen years later, a new dam was built: the Dumbéa dam, with a pipe of more than 28 km that ran from the current Dumbéa Provincial Park, to the Montagne Coupée, to another infrastructure project - the Semaphore - but that's part of another story...
Did you know that this "forgotten" dam hid within it such an important secret from New Caledonia’s history? Pay it a visit without further delay and see this piece of History for yourself!
Services
Services
Pets welcome
Openings
Openings
All year 2025 - Open everyday
