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 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. The impounded reservoir is also called Maroon Dam.
Location and features
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.
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 (57×106 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). 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), 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%. It was at 18% capacity in November 2003.
Recreation
Camping is not permitted on the dam's property. 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.
The dam is stocked with silver perch, golden perch and bass. Additionally spangled perch are present. The Maroon Moogerah Fish Management Association is the local fish stocking group. A stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in the dam.
