Reedy Creek Dam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reedy Creek Dam
Reedy Creek Dam Location in Queensland
Location	2.5 km South of Kumbia, Queensland
Coordinates	26°42′00″S 151°37′44″E / 26.70011°S 151.6289°E / -26.70011; 151.6289
Type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Reedy Creek
Primary outflows	Reedy Creek
Basin countries	Australia
Max. length	650 m (2,130 ft)
Max. width	300 m (980 ft)
Surface area	0.2 ha (0.49 acres)
Average depth	2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Max. depth	3 m (9.8 ft)
Water volume	350 ML (12×10^6 cu ft)
Surface elevation	520 m (1,710 ft)
Settlements	Kumbia

Reedy Creek Dam, also called Kumbia Dam, is a small but very important dam in Queensland, Australia. It plays a big role in providing clean water for the town of Kumbia, Queensland. This dam helps make sure people in Kumbia have enough water for drinking, washing, and other daily needs.

What is a Dam?

A dam is a large barrier built across a river or stream. Its main purpose is to hold back water, creating a lake or a large pool of water behind it. This stored water is called a reservoir. Dams are built for many reasons, like supplying drinking water, generating electricity, controlling floods, or helping with irrigation for farms.

How Dams Work

Dams work by blocking the natural flow of water. When a river hits the dam, the water starts to pile up. This creates a deep and wide area of water upstream from the dam. The water can then be released in a controlled way when it is needed.

Different Parts of a Dam

• Wall: This is the main part of the dam that holds back the water. It can be made of concrete, earth, or rocks.
• Reservoir: This is the artificial lake formed behind the dam. It stores the water.
• Spillway: This is like a giant overflow drain. If too much water builds up, the spillway lets some water out safely. This prevents the dam from overflowing and getting damaged.
• Outlet Works: These are pipes or tunnels that release water from the reservoir in a controlled way. This water can go to homes, farms, or power plants.

Reedy Creek Dam: A Lifeline for Kumbia

Reedy Creek Dam is a vital part of Kumbia's water system. It collects water from Reedy Creek, which flows into the dam. The water stored here is then treated and sent to homes and businesses in Kumbia. Without this dam, the town would struggle to get enough fresh water.

Location and Size

Reedy Creek Dam is located about 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) south of Kumbia. It sits at an elevation of about 520 meters (1,706 feet) above sea level. While it's considered a small dam, it's perfectly sized for Kumbia's needs.

• Length: The dam is about 650 meters (2,132 feet) long.
• Width: It is about 300 meters (984 feet) wide.
• Area: The surface area of the reservoir is around 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres).
• Depth: The average depth is about 2 meters (6.5 feet), with a maximum depth of 3 meters (9.8 feet).
• Volume: It can hold about 350 megalitres (92.5 million gallons) of water. To give you an idea, one megalitre is a million liters!

Water Flow

Reedy Creek is both the inflow and outflow for the dam. This means the creek feeds water into the dam, and then the same creek carries water away from the dam after it has been used or released. This natural cycle helps keep the water system balanced.

Why Dams are Important

Dams like Reedy Creek Dam are super important for communities all over the world. They help us manage water resources, which are essential for life.

• Drinking Water: Many towns and cities get their drinking water from reservoirs created by dams.
• Agriculture: Farmers use water from dams to irrigate their crops, helping food grow.
• Flood Control: Dams can hold back large amounts of water during heavy rains, preventing floods downstream.
• Electricity: Some large dams use the force of falling water to generate clean electricity.
• Recreation: Many reservoirs are also used for fun activities like fishing, boating, and swimming.

Reedy Creek Dam might be small, but it plays a huge role in the daily lives of the people in Kumbia by providing a steady and reliable water supply.