Bill Gunn Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill Gunn Dam |
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View from Cunninghams Crest Lookout
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 Location of the Bill Gunn Dam
in Queensland |
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | South East Queensland |
| Coordinates | 27°37′40″S 152°22′37″E / 27.62778°S 152.37694°E |
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1987 |
| Operator(s) | SEQ Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Off-stream |
| Height | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Length | 1,160 m (3,810 ft) |
| Dam volume | 722×103 m3 (25.5×106 cu ft) |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 5 m3/s (180 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Dyer |
| Total capacity | 6,940 ML (1,530×106 imp gal; 1,830×106 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 100 ha (250 acres) |
| Maximum length | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) |
| Maximum width | 600 m (2,000 ft) |
| Maximum water depth | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
| Normal elevation | 110 m (360 ft) AHD |
The Bill Gunn Dam is a special kind of dam built from earth. It is located in Laidley Heights, which is in the South East part of Queensland, Australia. This dam is "off-stream," meaning it's not built directly across a main river. Instead, it stores water from nearby sources.
The main reason for building Bill Gunn Dam is to provide water for irrigation. This means it helps farmers water their crops in the Lockyer Valley. The large body of water held by the dam is called Lake Dyer.
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Where is Bill Gunn Dam Located?
The dam is about 1.5 kilometers (about a mile) west of the town of Laidley. It was built to make the natural Lake Dyer bigger. Lake Dyer is next to Laidley Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into Lockyer Creek.
The dam is named after Bill Gunn, who was a politician in Queensland. A company called SEQ Water manages the dam and its water supply.
How Big is the Dam?
The Bill Gunn Dam is quite long, stretching about 1,170 meters (3,840 feet). It is made of earth and stands about 12 meters (39 feet) tall. The dam has a special overflow area called a spillway. This spillway lets extra water flow safely into Laidley Creek when the dam is too full.
The dam can hold a lot of water, about 6,950 million liters. Its surface area can spread out to about 108 hectares (267 acres).
Why is the Dam Important for Farming?
Water from Bill Gunn Dam is very important for farming in the Lockyer Valley. This area grows many crops, so it needs a lot of water.
Sometimes, the dam's water level can get very low. This happens because a lot of water is used for irrigation, and some also evaporates in the summer heat. Low water levels can sometimes lead to problems with blue-green algae. For example, in November 2005, during a time of drought, the dam's water level dropped to only 1%.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Dyer
Lake Dyer is a great place for outdoor activities. You don't need a special permit to take a boat on the lake. However, only eight boats are allowed on the water at any one time to keep things safe and enjoyable.
There's a concrete boat ramp where you can launch your boat. You'll also find some facilities for visitors, including a caravan park managed by the local council. This park is a good spot for campers.
Fishing at the Dam
The dam is a popular spot for fishing. It has been stocked with fish like silver perch and golden perch. Other fish, such as bony bream, spangled perch, and eel-tailed catfish, live and breed there naturally.
If you want to fish, you need a Stocked Impoundment Permit. It's important to know that sometimes, if there's a lot of algae in the water, fish caught from the dam might not be safe to eat.
