Boondooma Dam

Boondooma Dam is a dam on the Boyne River on the boundary of Boondooma and Proston in the South Burnett Region of Queensland, Australia.[2] From 1980 to 1983, the dam was constructed across the Boyne River below its confluence with the Stuart River, creating Lake Boondooma.[3]

Boondooma Lake
Boondooma Lake is located in Queensland
Boondooma Lake
Boondooma Lake
LocationBoondooma/Okeden, 20km North of Proston, 50 km North-West of Wondai, Queensland
Coordinates26.0963°S 151.435°E / -26.0963; 151.435
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsBoyne River, Stuart River
Primary outflowsBoyne River
Catchment area4,025 km2 (1,554 sq mi)
Basin countriesAustralia
Max. length599 m (1,965 ft)
Surface area18.15 km2 (7.01 sq mi)
Average depth11 m (36 ft)
Water volume204,200 ML (165,500 acre⋅ft)[1]
Surface elevation280.4 m (920 ft)
DamBoondooma Dam
References[1]

It has a capacity of 204 200 ML under the 18.15 square kilometres (4,480 acres) of surface area and has an average depth of 11 metres (36 ft). The dam forms a narrow and deep lake, designed to avoid evaporation,[4] with one fork containing much standing timber and another having many submerged rocky outcrops.[5]

The dam overflowed for the first time in May 1983. The lowest level recorded was 0.18% capacity in December 1982, and the maximum of 173.8% (6.17m over the spillway) was recorded in January 2013 as a result of heavy rain from ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald.[6]

Water supply

It was built to supply water to the Tarong Power Station and as is the case at so many impoundments, takes its name from the original property in the area. The dam also supplies water to irrigate agricultural properties in the area.[4][5]

Typically, the dam supplies between 50 million and 80 million litres of water per day to Tarong Power Station.[7] The dam was connected to the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project to ensure water levels would not interfere with power generation in times of drought.

SunWater, the dam's managing authority, is undertaking a dam spillway capacity upgrade program to ensure the highest level of safety for dams under their jurisdiction is maintained. The spillway will be upgraded in the longer term.[8]

Recreation

Since March 2001, camping and recreational facilities at the dam have been managed by the Wondai Shire Council, and since council amalgamations, South Burnett Regional Council.[4] Self-contained cabins, caravan sites and camping are all available by the lake. There are also multiple picnic grounds for day-trippers. Angling, swimming, sailing and water skiing are all popular activities at Boondooma Dam.[4]

Fishing

The dam is stocked with bass, golden perch, silver perch and barramundi, while eel-tailed catfish, and bony bream are present naturally.[5] A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam.[9] In 1993 and 1994, more than 60,000 barramundi were released into the dam, thought the furthest south that the species could survive.[5] Limited numbers have been caught since, but greater success was achieved at locations closer to the coast of similar latitude.[5]

Boating

The dam has two boat ramps and a boating permit is not required. There are no boating restrictions on the dam, however a no fishing/boating zone applies around the dam wall.[5]

A view of Lake Boondooma

See also

References
  1. "Sunwater Current Water Storage Information". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  2. "Boondooma Dam – dam wall in the South Burnett Region (entry 49992)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  3. "Lake Boondooma – reservoir in the South Burnett Region (entry 3758)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. "Wondai Shire Council – Lake Boondooma Camping and Recreation Area". South Burnett Regional Council. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  5. Harrison, Rod; Ernie James; Chris Sully; Bill Classon; Joy Eckermann (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
  6. "Boondooma Dam". Sunwater. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  7. Tuck Thompson (8 February 2007). "Two power stations in jeopardy". The Courier Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  8. Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit. Archived August 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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