Lake Julius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Julius (Julius Dam) |
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 Lake Julius (Julius Dam)
Location in Queensland
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| Location | 70 km (43 mi) North East of Mount Isa, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 20°07′53″S 139°43′23″E / 20.1315°S 139.723°E |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 1,255 ha (3,100 acres) |
| Average depth | 8.9 m (29 ft) |
| Max. depth | 25.2 m (83 ft) |
| Water volume | 107,500 ML (3,800×106 cu ft) |
| Surface elevation | 223.54 m (733.4 ft) |
Lake Julius is a large lake in Queensland, Australia. It was created in 1976 when the Julius Dam was built. This dam helps store water for two main reasons: to water farms (this is called irrigation) and to supply drinking water to nearby towns.
Contents
Lake Julius: A Big Water Storage
Lake Julius is an important source of water for the region. It holds a huge amount of water, making it a vital resource for both people and agriculture.
Where is Lake Julius?
The dam wall that forms Lake Julius is about 70 kilometres (43 mi) northeast of Mount Isa, a city in Queensland. It's located where two creeks, the Leichhardt River and Paroo Creek, meet.
How the Dam Was Built
Julius Dam is special because of how it was built. It's made of concrete and uses a unique design with many arches and supports. This design is not common for dams in Queensland.
The dam's spillway, which is where extra water flows out, goes over the top of these arches. The highest point of the spillway is 18.3 metres (60 ft) above the ground. The arches are built in separate rings and are connected to strong supports.
How Much Water Does it Hold?
Lake Julius can hold a lot of water! When it's full, it has a capacity of 127,000 megalitres (4,500×106 cu ft) (megalitres). Its surface area covers about 1,255 hectares (3,100 acres), which is like 1,255 football fields. The average depth of the lake is 8.9 metres (29 ft), but in some places, it can be as deep as 25.2 metres (83 ft).
The total amount of water the dam can store is 107,500 megalitres (3,800×106 cu ft). The full water level of the lake is at 223.54 meters above sea level.
Keeping the Dam Safe
The company called SunWater looks after Lake Julius. They are working on a project to improve the dam's spillway. This upgrade will make sure the dam can safely handle large amounts of water, especially during heavy rains.
