Callide Dam

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	24.3695°S 150.620°E / -24.3695; 150.620
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 (4,816×10^6 cu ft)[1]
Surface elevation	216.1 m (709 ft)
References	[1] only 5 percent

History

In 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

A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam.^[8]

See also

• Queensland portal

• List of dams and reservoirs in Australia

References

1. "Sunwater Current Water Storage Information". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
2. "Callide Valley". SunWater. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
3. "Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program". Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
4. "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.
5. 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.
6. "Queensland farmers assess cyclone damage". ABC News. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
7. "Class action into Callide Dam flooding dropped". ABC News. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
8. "Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2019.