Maroon Dam

The Maroon Dam is a rock and earth-fill embankment dam with an un-gated spillway across the Burnett Creek that is located in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for irrigation of the Scenic Rim Regional Council region.[1][3] The impounded reservoir is also called Maroon Dam.

Maroon Dam
View west across lake from crest of dam wall, 2010
Location of the Maroon Dam
in Queensland
CountryAustralia
LocationSouth East Queensland
Coordinates28°10′51″S 152°39′25″E
PurposeIrrigation[1]
StatusOperational
Construction began1969 (1969)
Opening date1973 (1973)
Operator(s)SEQ Water
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsBurnett Creek
Height46.3 m (152 ft)[1]
Length451 m (1,480 ft)[1]
Dam volume1,620×10^3 m3 (57×10^6 cu ft)[1]
Spillway typeUncontrolled
Spillway capacity567 m3/s (20,000 cu ft/s)[1]
Reservoir
Total capacity44,300 ML (9.7×109 imp gal; 1.17×1010 US gal)[2][3]
Active capacity37,100 ML (8.2×109 imp gal; 9.8×109 US gal)
Catchment area160 km2 (62 sq mi)[1][2][4]
Surface area310 ha (770 acres)[2][3]
Maximum water depth33.6 m (110 ft)
Normal elevation217.5 m (714 ft) AHD 
Website
www.seqwater.com.au

Location and features
Dam wall and Mount May, 2010.

The dam is located 64 kilometres (40 mi) southwest of Beaudesert. The primary inflow of the reservoir is Burnett Creek, a tributary of Logan River.[3]

Construction of the dam commenced in 1969 and was completed in 1973. The rock and earthfill dam structure is 46.3 metres (152 ft) high and 451 metres (1,480 ft) long. The 1,620-thousand-cubic-metre (57×10^6 cu ft) dam wall holds back the 44,300-megalitre (9.7×109 imp gal; 1.17×1010 US gal) reservoir when at full capacity. The dam has a clearance of 10.4 metres (34 ft) above full supply level for flood mitigation purposes. This allows for a full operating level at 37,100 megalitres (8.2×109 imp gal; 9.8×109 US gal).[5] From a catchment area of 160 square kilometres (62 sq mi) that lies within the Scenic Rim at the foot of the McPherson Range, the dam creates an unnamed reservoir, with a surface area of 310 hectares (770 acres). The uncontrolled un-gated spillway has a discharge capacity of 567 cubic metres per second (20,000 cu ft/s),[1] and is situated 43.9 metres (144 ft) above the original stream bed. Initially managed by the SunWater, management of the dam was transferred to Seqwater in July 2008.

The reservoir was officially opened on 16 July 1975 by Neville Hewitt, the Queensland Minister for Water Resources. The reservoir contains some areas of standing timber in its upper reaches. It is generally shallow with extensive weedbeds. Drought in February 2003 reduced water levels in the dam to 12%.[6] It was at 18% capacity in November 2003.[7]

Recreation

Camping is not permitted on the dam's property.[3] Private accommodation is available near the dam.

Fishing and water skiing are popular activities for visitors to the waters held back by the dam. There is a single concrete boat ramp and no restrictions on boat numbers.[3]

The dam is stocked with silver perch, golden perch and bass.[3] Additionally spangled perch are present. The Maroon Moogerah Fish Management Association is the local fish stocking group.[3] A stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in the dam.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  2. "Maroon Dam". Water supply: Dams and weirs. Seqwater. 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  3. Harrison, Rod; James, Ernie; Sully, Chris; Classon, Bill; Eckermann, Joy (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
  4. "Logan River Water Supply Scheme" (PDF) (PDF). SunWater. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  5. Dull, Rebecca (29 November 2005). "Falls make small impact on dam levels". The Queensland Times. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  6. "SES works to fix retaining walls". ABC News. Australia. 24 February 2003. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  7. "Drought drying up Beaudesert water supply". ABC News. Australia. 14 November 2003. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  8. "Do I need a permit to go fishing in a dam?". Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Queensland Government. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
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