Six Mile Creek Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Six Mile Creek Dam |
|
|---|---|
 Location of the Six Mile Creek Dam
in Queensland |
|
| Country | Australia |
| Location | South East Queensland |
| Coordinates | 26°22′52″S 152°55′48″E / 26.38111°S 152.93000°E |
| Purpose | |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1965 |
| Operator(s) | SEQ Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Six Mile Creek |
| Height | 15.7 m (52 ft) |
| Length | 490 m (1,610 ft) |
| Dam volume | 69×103 m3 (2.4×106 cu ft) |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 750 m3/s (26,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Macdonald |
| Total capacity | 8,018 ML (1.764×109 imp gal; 2.118×109 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 49 km2 (19 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 260 ha (640 acres) |
The Six Mile Creek Dam is often called Lake Macdonald. It is a large structure made of rock and earth. This dam helps control the flow of Six Mile Creek in Queensland, Australia.
Its main jobs are to provide clean drinking water for the Sunshine Coast area. It is also a popular spot for fun activities. The lake behind the dam is named Lake Macdonald. It honors Ian MacDonald, a former local council leader.
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Where is Six Mile Creek Dam?
The dam is located about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Cooroy. It is also 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) west of Noosa. A small town called Lake MacDonald is right next to the dam. Six Mile Creek is the main stream that flows into the lake.
How the Dam Was Built
The dam was first built in 1965. It was made taller in 1980. The dam wall is 15.7 meters (51.5 feet) high and 490 meters (1,608 feet) long. This huge wall holds back 8,018 megalitres of water when the lake is full. That's a lot of water!
The water for the dam comes from a 49 square kilometer (19 square mile) area. This area includes parts of the Tewantin National Park. The dam creates Lake Macdonald, which covers 260 hectares (642 acres). The dam has a special overflow area called a spillway. This spillway can release 750 cubic meters (26,486 cubic feet) of water per second.
Who Manages the Dam?
The dam was first managed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. In July 2008, a group called Seqwater took over its management. Seqwater plans to make upgrades to the dam starting in May 2019. This is part of their program to improve dams.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Macdonald
Lake Macdonald is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy horse riding, boating, and canoeing near the dam.
Noosa Botanic Gardens
The Noosa Botanic Gardens are located right on the northwestern side of Lake Macdonald. It's a beautiful spot to explore different plants.
Fishing at the Lake
The lake is home to many types of fish. Some fish, like Mary River cod, bass, and yellowbelly, have been added to the lake. You can also find native fish like tandans (eel tailed catfish). An introduced fish called the spangled perch also lives here. If you want to fish in the dam, you need a special permit.
