Gordonbrook Dam is an earthen dam in Gordonbook,

South Burnett Region The South Burnett Region is a local government area in the South Burnett district of Queensland, Australia. Origins This Local Government was created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia. Along with Boondooma Dam, it is the main source of water supply for

Kingaroy Kingaroy is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. The town is situated on the junction of the D'Aguilar and the Bunya Highways, north-west of the state capital Brisbane and south west of Gympie. As a ...

in the

Wide Bay-Burnett WIDE or Wide may refer to: *Wide (cricket) *Wide and narrow data, terms used to describe two different presentations for tabular data *WIDE Project, Widely Integrated Distributed Environment *Wide-angle Infinity Display Equipment *WIDE-LP, a radio ...

area. It was built in 1941 to provide water for the Royal Australian Air Force Training Base during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. In 1987, due to increased demand, the dam wall was raised. From a catchment of 590 square kilometres, the dam stores 6,800 megalitres at full supply level, covering an area of 130 hectares. Under normal circumstances the town water supply for Kingaroy is a 70:30 blend of water from Boondooma and Gordonbrook Dams, as Gordonbrook Dam water is prone to quality issues such as high levels of algae and bromide.

Recreation

Land

A basic picnic area is located on the eastern shores. The picnic area is fairly large and contains a composting toilet, a water tank, picnic tables, a boat ramp, information signs and a bush walk that includes an elevated lookout and a well maintained bird hide.

Water

When the lake area is open to public recreation, the dam provides a good range of water-based activities. The lake is largely accessible to small to medium-sized motorised boats, jetskis,

canoes A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using a single-bladed paddle. In British English, the term ...

and windcraft. The body provides the best space for

water skiing Water skiing (also waterskiing or water-skiing) is a surface water sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation over a body of water, skimming the surface on two skis or one ski. The sport requires suffic ...

and water tubing, while the foot is best suited for boat fishing and non-motorised craft only, because of the large stands of dead timber.

Fishing

A ''Stocked Impoundment Permit'' is required to fish in all parts of the dam.Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit.
The dam is stocked with Australian Bass, Golden Perch, Silver Perch, and Saratoga by the Boondooma Dam Fish Stocking and Management Association Inc. Only shore fishing is permitted.

Blue green algae infestation

During dry periods and because the dam's smaller size, the dam experiences high levels of blue green algae (

Cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blu ...

). Activities are at the user's own risk, and the boat ramp has gates to prevent motorised craft from entering the water during times of high risk of the algae.

History

In March 2022, two bodies were found chained together in the dam's waters by a kayaker. It was soon revealed by police to be the bodies of a local couple, 51-year old Daryl Smith and his wife Kirsty Smith.

References

External links

Gordonbrook Dam Recreation Area
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gordonbrook Dam Reservoirs in Queensland Dams completed in 1941 Wide Bay–Burnett Dams in Queensland 1941 establishments in Australia