Coolmunda Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coolmunda Dam |
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The spillway and gates of Coolmunda Dam
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 Location of the Coolmunda Dam in Queensland
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | Coolmunda, Goondiwindi Region |
| Coordinates | 28°25′51″S 151°13′16″E / 28.43083°S 151.22111°E |
| Purpose | |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date |
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| Operator(s) | SunWater |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Macintrye Brook |
| Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Height (foundation) | 16.1 m (53 ft) |
| Length | 2,286 m (7,500 ft) |
| Dam volume | 690×103 m3 (24×106 cu ft) |
| Spillway type | Radial gated |
| Spillway capacity | 6,860 m3/s (242,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Coolmunda |
| Total capacity | 69,000 ML (15×109 imp gal; 18×109 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 1,760 km2 (680 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 1,645 ha (4,060 acres) |
| Maximum length | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Maximum width | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) |
| Normal elevation | 314.7 m (1,032 ft) AHD |
The Coolmunda Dam is a large dam located in Queensland, Australia. It was built across the Macintyre Brook, which is a small river that flows into the Dumaresq River. The main reasons for building this dam were to provide water for farms (this is called irrigation) and to supply drinking water for people. The big lake that formed behind the dam is known as Lake Coolmunda.
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Where is Coolmunda Dam?
The dam is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) east of a town called Inglewood. You can find it just off the Cunningham Highway. Two smaller creeks, Bracker Creek and Sandy Creek, also flow into Lake Coolmunda, helping to fill it up.
How the Dam Was Built
Coolmunda Dam was finished in 1968. It's an earth-fill dam, which means it's made mostly from compacted earth and rock. The dam wall is 20 meters (66 feet) high and stretches for 2,826 meters (9,272 feet) long.
When the dam is completely full, its wall holds back a huge amount of water – about 69,000 megalitres. That's enough water to fill 27,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools! The lake itself covers an area of 1,645 hectares (about 4,065 acres) and can be up to 16.1 meters (53 feet) deep.
The dam has special gates called radial gates that can open to let water out in a controlled way. This helps manage the water levels. A company called SunWater is in charge of looking after the dam.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Coolmunda
Lake Coolmunda is a popular spot for outdoor activities. There are many things you can do there:
- Boating: There's a boat ramp where you can launch your boat. There are no special rules about what kind of boats you can use on the lake.
- Picnics: You'll find three picnic areas with good facilities, perfect for a family day out.
- Camping: There's a caravan park if you want to stay overnight. In 2013, a new area for camping was opened to the public.
- Fishing: The lake is home to different types of fish. You can find native fish like Eel-tailed catfish, spangled perch, murray cod, silver perch, and golden perch. Unfortunately, an introduced species called European carp has also been found here. If you want to fish, you'll need a special permit.
Things to Watch Out For
When you're boating or swimming in the lake, be aware that some parts still have standing trees and old fence posts underwater. These were there before the area was flooded to create the lake.
