Jacob's Creek (Australia)
2009132
224967116
2008-07-11T06:13:58Z
Lightbot
7178666
Units/dates/other
{{dablink|This is an article about a creek. For the wine see [[Jacob's Creek (wine)]].}}
[[Image:H sign post.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Famous sign at Jacob's Creek along the [[Barossa Valley Highway]]]]
'''Jacob's Creek''' is a small [[stream|creek]] that runs through the [[wine-producing region]] of the [[Barossa Valley]], 80km north of [[Adelaide, South Australia]]. The creek itself is only several kilometers long and flows westwards from its beginning in the [[Barossa Ranges]], eventually meeting the [[North Para River]]. It was first discovered and surveyed by [[William Jacob]], the assistant surveyor to [[William Light|Colonel William Light]], in 1839 as part of a wider survey of the [[Barossa Valley|Barossa region]]. It was named in his honour in the early 1840s. In the local aboriginal dialect it is called "Cowieaurita", meaning "yellow-brown water".
In the early 1840s Jacob's Creek was briefly home to [[Johann Menge]], South Australia's first geologist, who lived for some time on an island and in nearby cave on the creek. Here he grew vegetables, and was particularly struck with the possibilities for viticulture. Menge was influential in facilitating the settlement from the Barossa Valley by German Lutheran immigrants.
The creek lends its name to the famous wine brand [[Jacob's Creek (wine)|Jacob's Creek]], which is produced by [[Orlando Wines]], located 2km [[Ordinal directions|southwest]] along the [[Barossa Valley Highway]] in the small town of [[Rowland Flat, South Australia|Rowland Flat]]. [[Johann Gramp]], the founder of [[Orlando Wines]], first planted grape vines on the banks of Jacob's Creek in 1847.
In 1997 [[Orlando Wines]], in conjunction with the Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Board, commenced a rejuvenation project for Jacob's Creek. All non-native plants and trees, such as [[bamboo]], [[ash tree|ash]], and [[olives]] were removed, and replanted with [[Blue Gum|blue gums]], [[River Red Gum|red gums]] and other [[Flora of Australia|Australian native trees and shrubs]]. As a result of the project, many native species of [[frog]]s, [[Fish in Australia|native fish]], and waterbirds have returned, with the creek gradually returning to its former natural state.
==External links==
*[http://www.jacobscreek.com/apps/news/index.php?pageId=102&catId=26&secId=8 Jacob's Creek Rejuvenation Project]
[[Category:Rivers of South Australia]]
[[pt:Jacob's Creek]]