Bill Gunn Dam
| Bill Gunn Dam | |
|---|---|
| Location | 2km West of Laidley |
| Coordinates | 27°37′40″S 152°22′37″E / 27.6279°S 152.377°ECoordinates: 27°37′40″S 152°22′37″E / 27.6279°S 152.377°E |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 1100m |
| Max. width | 600m |
| Surface area | 100ha |
| Max. depth | 10.7m |
| Water volume | 6,940 ML [1][2] |
| Surface elevation | 110m |
| References | [1][2] |
Bill Gunn Dam, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) west of the town of Laidley in South East Queensland, was developed to increase the capacity of the existing Lake Dyer, a natural lake adjacent to Laidley Creek, a tributary of Lockyer Creek. The dam was named after the Australian politician Bill Gunn and is managed by SunWater.[3]
The 1,170 m (3,840 ft) long earthfill structure has a maximum height of 12 m (39 ft) and an overflow spillway which diverts excess water into Laidley Creek. The dam has a storage capacity of 6950 ML and a maximum surface area of 108 ha.
Water from the dam is used for irrigation, in the densely cropped Lockyer Valley.[3] Bill Gunn Dam suffers from high drawdowns and summer evaporation which together with phosphate fertilizer creates significant blue green algae problems.[3] In November 2005, during drought conditions in the area, the dam's water level declined to just 1%.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Facilities
A boating permit is not required, however a maximum of eight boats are allowed at on the lake at once.[3] A single concrete boat ramp and some facilities for visitors, including campers, are available at a lakeside caravan park which is managed by the local council.
[edit] Fishing
The dam is stocked with silver perch and golden perch, while bony bream, spangled perch and eel-tailed catfish breed naturally.[3] A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam.[5] The poor water quality means that fish caught in the dam may, at times of an algae outbreak, be a health hazard if eaten.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sunwater Current Water Storage Information
- ^ a b Seqwater rainfall and dam level update
- ^ a b c d e f Harrison, Rod; Ernie James, Chris Sully, Bill Classon, Joy Eckermann (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. pp. 94. ISBN 9781865131344.
- ^ Rebecca Dull (2005-11-29). "Falls make small impact on dam levels". Ipswich Queensland Times. APN News & Media. http://www.qt.com.au/story/2005/11/29/apn-falls-make-small-impact-on-dam/. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit.
