Maroon Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maroon Dam |
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View west across lake from crest of dam wall, 2010
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 Location of the Maroon Dam
in Queensland |
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | South East Queensland |
| Coordinates | 28°10′51″S 152°39′25″E / 28.18083°S 152.65694°E |
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1969 |
| Opening date | 1973 |
| Operator(s) | SEQ Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Burnett Creek |
| Height | 46.3 m (152 ft) |
| Length | 451 m (1,480 ft) |
| Dam volume | 1,620×103 m3 (57×106 cu ft) |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 567 m3/s (20,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 44,300 ML (9.7×109 imp gal; 1.17×1010 US gal) |
| Active capacity | 37,100 ML (8.2×109 imp gal; 9.8×109 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 160 km2 (62 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 310 ha (770 acres) |
| Maximum water depth | 33.6 m (110 ft) |
| Normal elevation | 217.5 m (714 ft) AHD |
The Maroon Dam is a large dam in Queensland, Australia. It's built like a big wall from rock and earth to hold back water from Burnett Creek. This water forms a lake, which is also called Maroon Dam. The main reason for this dam is to provide water for farms in the Scenic Rim area.
Contents
Where is Maroon Dam?
Maroon Dam is located about 64 kilometres (40 miles) southwest of Beaudesert. The main stream that flows into the dam's lake is Burnett Creek. This creek is a smaller branch of the Logan River.
How the Dam Was Built
Building the dam started in 1969 and finished in 1973. The dam wall is 46.3 metres (152 feet) high and 451 metres (1,480 feet) long. This huge wall holds back a large amount of water, about 44,300 megalitres (11,700 million US gallons) when it's completely full.
The dam has a special part called an un-gated spillway. This is like a natural overflow area that lets water out if the dam gets too full, especially during floods. It can release 567 cubic metres (20,000 cubic feet) of water per second.
Water Levels and Management
The dam collects water from a large area of 160 square kilometres (62 square miles). This area is part of the Scenic Rim region, near the McPherson Range. The lake created by the dam covers an area of 310 hectares (770 acres).
In 2008, the company that manages the dam changed from SunWater to Seqwater. This company makes sure the dam works properly and provides water to the region.
History of the Dam
The Maroon Dam lake was officially opened on July 16, 1975. A politician named Neville Hewitt, who was the Queensland Minister for Water Resources at the time, opened it.
Sometimes, during very dry periods, the water level in the dam can drop quite a lot. For example, in 2003, during a drought, the water level went down to only 12% of its full capacity.
Fun Things to Do at Maroon Dam
Maroon Dam is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
- Fishing: Many people enjoy fishing here. The dam is stocked with different types of fish, including silver perch, golden perch, and bass. You might also find spangled perch. If you want to fish, you need a special permit called a stocked impoundment permit.
- Water Skiing: Water skiing is another popular activity on the lake. There's a concrete ramp where you can launch boats, and there are no limits on how many boats can be on the water.
- Camping: While you can't camp directly on the dam's property, there are places to stay nearby.
