Lake Moogerah
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| Lake Moogerah | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Fassifern Valley, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 28°01′48″S 152°32′56″E / 28.0301°S 152.549°ECoordinates: 28°01′48″S 152°32′56″E / 28.0301°S 152.549°E |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Reynold's Creek |
| Primary outflows | Reynold's Creek |
| Catchment area | 227 km² [1] |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 827 ha |
| Water volume | 83 700 ML[2][3] |
| Surface elevation | 154.91 m AHD |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Lake Moogerah, formed by Moogerah Dam, is a water supply and irrigation dam on Reynold's Creek, a tributary of the Bremer River in Southeast Queensland's Fassifern Valley. The lake is used for recreation, fishing and camping.
The lake is located around 60 km southwest of Ipswich, and about 90 minutes drive from Brisbane. Boonah is the nearest town, about 15 km from the lake.
Construction on the dam began in 1959, although land for the project was resumed as early as 1916 [4]. Moogerah Dam was completed in 1961 as the central catchment of the Warrill Valley Water Supply Scheme. The dam wall at Lake Moogerah allows access to Mt Edwards in Moogerah Peaks National Park.
The dam supplies drinking water to the towns of Boonah and Ipswich, although the main user is the Swanbank Power Station. It also supplies irrigation water to small crop farms in the Fassifern Valley.
There is a popular caravan park at Moogerah Dam. Higher Ground Australia operate Camp Moogerah at the lake for church youth groups[5]. On the western shore are Camp Mallon and Camp Laurence which offer group accommodation camps with educational and adventure activities for school students, family and church groups. On the southern shore is the Brisbane Grammar School Pepperina Hill Campsite, which is primarily used for grade 8-10 camps.[6]
During the 1995 drought dam levels declined to a low of 1% total capacity. [7]
"Moogerah" comes from the aboriginal word Moojirah meaning home of the thunderstorm.
SunWater is undertaking a dam spillway capacity upgrade program to ensure the highest level of safety for our dams is maintained. The spillway will be upgraded in the longer term. [8]
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[edit] Camping
Scenic Rim Regional Council operate a caravan park at the end of Muller Park road. It offers a variety of accommodation (powered, unpowered tent and caravan sites, overnight cabin and house and permanent cabins). Other site facilities include electric & wood BBQs, 2 boat ramps, kiosk (bread, milk, ice, firewood and sundries), kayak hire and childrens playground. Lake Moogerah Caravan Park is located near many of the areas attractions and activities, including wineries, national parks and of course the famous Lake Moogerah.
[edit] Boating
Lake Moogerah is extremely popular for waterskiing and plays host to jetski and waterskiing events throughout the year.
[edit] Fishing
A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam[9]. Permits are available from the manager at Lake Moogerah Caravan Park.
[edit] Events
The Moogerah Passion Play - an open-air theatre production on the shores of Lake Moogerah - is held every Easter. With a cast of up to 80, a real Sea of Galilee and the backdrop of the sun setting over the lake and the Great Dividing Range beyond, this is a spectacle not to be missed. Accessed through the caravan park or via Living Water Road the Lake Theatre plays host to other event throughout the year and the site is the future home of the House of Living Water. Visit Moogerah Passion Play for pictures and more info.
The Easter Fireworks are always a stunning display of colour and excitement as All Fired Up Fireworks and Skylighter Fireworks light up the night sky from their vantage point in the middle of the lake. Establishing itself as an Easter tradition at Moogerah and drawing increasing numbers of locals out to the dam every year.
[edit] Other Facilities
As well as the BBQs and picnic areas available at Lake Moogerah Caravan Park there are a number of BBQs, covered picnic tables, toilet facilities and playgrounds on the opposite side of the lake at Haig Park. This side also provides access to the dam wall. Across the wall is Mt Edwards - a walking trail and hike. The road uphill behind the old kiosk (now a house) leads to a lookout and downhill to a further picnic area and playground at the bottom of the wall on the banks of Reynolds Creek.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Department of Natural Resources and Water
- ^ a b Sunwater Current Water Storage Information
- ^ a b Seqwater rainfall and dam level update
- ^ Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Heritage Trails of the Great South East, State of Queensland, 2000 p 32. ISBN 0-7345-1008-X.
- ^ http://www.higherground.com.au
- ^ http://www.brisbanegrammar.com
- ^ Collie, Gordon. Worst drought of century cripples farmers. The Courier Mail. 26 August 1995.
- ^ Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program
- ^ Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit.
