The Callide Dam is an earth and rock-fill dam which was constructed in 1965 to supply water for the Callide Power Station in Mount Murchison near Biloela in the state of Queensland, Australia.[2] The impoundment of the dam is Lake Callide, which holds 136,370 megalitres (3.603×1010 US gal) at an average depth of 10.5 metres (34 ft) and a surface area of 1,240 hectares (3,100 acres) at full capacity.
| Callide Dam | |
|---|---|
  Callide Dam | |
| Location | 11 km (6.8 mi) East of Biloela, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 24°22′10″S 150°37′12″E / 24.3695°S 150.620°E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Catchment area | 518 km2 (200 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 1,240 ha (3,100 acres) |
| Max. depth | 34.8 m (114 ft) |
| Water volume | 136,370 ML (4,816×106 cu ft)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 216.1 m (709 ft) |
| References | [1] only 5 percent |
History
editIn 1988, gates were added to the spillway to increase the capacity of the dam in 1988.[3] SunWater, the water supply and services company, has undertaken a multi-station upgrade program to ensure highest levels of safety for dams of their responsibility. The Callide spillway was scheduled to be upgraded in the 'medium-term' range from 2008.[3] In 2021, the spillway gates were to be removed and serviced to address vibration during their operation. [4]
In February 2015, the radial spillway gates on the dam automatically opened as a result of heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone Marcia.[5] Severe flooding resulted downstream from the dam.[6] In May 2015, a class action lawsuit against the dam operator SunWater was launched by residents affected by the flooding. The class action was dropped in February 2016.[7]
The dam's highest recorded level was 102.37% of capacity in March 2017 as a result of heavy rains from ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
Fishing
editA Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Sunwater Current Water Storage Information". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ "Callide Valley". SunWater. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program". Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ "Callide Dam Gates Project" (PDF). Fact sheet: project overview. SunWater. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
- ^ Matt Wordsworth (29 April 2015). "Sunwater criticised over dam operation during Cyclone Marcia flooding". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Queensland farmers assess cyclone damage". ABC News. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Class action into Callide Dam flooding dropped". ABC News. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2019.