Maroon Dam
Encyclopedia
Maroon Dam is a water storage and recreational dam
in South East Queensland
. The dam lies 25 km south of Boonah
, within the Scenic Rim
at the foot of the McPherson Range
. Maroon Dam subverts the waters of Burnett Creek, a tributary of Logan River and supplies the Scenic Rim Regional Council
with water. Some water is supplied to irrigators along the Logan River
.
Construction of the dam occurred between 1969 to 1974. The reservoir was officially opened on 16 July 1975 by Minister for Water Resources Neville Hewitt. The lake 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 still only at 18% capacity in November 2003.
purposes. This allows for a full operating level at 37,100 ML with a total of 44,300 ML able to be retained.
The spillway is 43.9 m above the original stream bed and the dam wall crest is 46.1 m above the original stream level. The manager of the dam, SunWater
is undertaking a dam spillway
capacity upgrade program to ensure the safety of the dam is maintained. The spillway is planned to be upgraded in the longer term.
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.
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.
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
in South East Queensland
South East Queensland
South East Queensland is a region of the state of Queensland in Australia, which contains approximately two-thirds of the state population...
. The dam lies 25 km south of Boonah
Boonah, Queensland
Boonah is a town in south eastern Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, the town had a population of 2,285. The area produces vegetables for the nearby Brisbane Markets notably carrots, potatoes, and cereal crops. Beef, pork and timber are also produced locally.The town is positioned near the...
, within the Scenic Rim
Scenic Rim
The Scenic Rim is a group of forested mountain ranges of the Great Dividing Range straddling the border between south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.-Description:...
at the foot of the McPherson Range
McPherson Range
The McPherson Range is an extensive mountain range, a spur of the Great Dividing Range, heading in an easterly direction from near Wallangarra to the Pacific Ocean coastline. It forms part of the Scenic Rim on the border between the states of New South Wales and Queensland. Further west of the...
. Maroon Dam subverts the waters of Burnett Creek, a tributary of Logan River and supplies the Scenic Rim Regional Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
The Scenic Rim Region is a Local Government Area located in West Moreton region of South East Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by several previous local government areas with histories extending back to the early 1900s and beyond....
with water. Some water is supplied to irrigators along the Logan River
Logan River
The Logan River is a river in South East Queensland. The catchment is dominated by urban and agricultural land use. Near the river mouth are mangrove forests and a number of aquaculture farms.-History:...
.
Construction of the dam occurred between 1969 to 1974. The reservoir was officially opened on 16 July 1975 by Minister for Water Resources Neville Hewitt. The lake contains some areas of standing timber in its upper reaches. It is generally shallow with extensive weedbeds. Drought
Drought in Australia
Drought in Australia is defined as rainfall over a three month period being in the lowest decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past. This definition takes into account that drought is a relative term and rainfall deficiencies need to be compared to typical rainfall patterns...
in February 2003 reduced water levels in the dam to 12%. It was still only at 18% capacity in November 2003.
Specifications
The dam has a clearance of 10.4 m above full supply level for flood mitigationFlood mitigation
Flood mitigation involves managing the effects of flooding, such as redirecting flood run-off, rather than trying to prevent it altogether. It is management of people, through measures such as evacuation and dry/wet proofing properties for example....
purposes. This allows for a full operating level at 37,100 ML with a total of 44,300 ML able to be retained.
The spillway is 43.9 m above the original stream bed and the dam wall crest is 46.1 m above the original stream level. The manager of the dam, SunWater
SunWater
SunWater is a company located in Queensland, Australia. The company supplies bulk water to over 6000 customers and water consultancy to a range of clients....
is undertaking a dam spillway
Spillway
A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of flows from a dam or levee into a downstream area, typically being the river that was dammed. In the UK they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways release floods so that the water does not overtop and damage or even destroy...
capacity upgrade program to ensure the safety of the dam is maintained. The spillway is planned to be upgraded in the longer term.
Recreational activities
No camping is permitted on the dam's property. Nearby private accommodation is available.Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and water skiing
Water skiing
thumb|right|A slalom skier making a turn on a slalom waterski.Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.-History:...
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.
Fishing
The dam is stockedFish stocking
Fish stocking is the practice of raising fish in a hatchery and releasing them into a river, lake, or the ocean to supplement existing populations, or to create a population where none exists...
with silver perch
Silver Perch
Silver perch is a medium sized freshwater fish endemic to the Murray-Darling river system in south-eastern Australia. The scientific name comes from an aboriginal name for the species recorded by Major Mitchell on his 1832 expedition. It is not a perch, being a grunter in the family Terapontidae...
, golden perch
Golden perch
The golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of the Murray-Darling river system. It is not a true perch of the genus Perca....
and bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
. 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.