{{Use Australian English|date=June 2014}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox dam | name = Atkinson Dam | name_official = | image = Atkinson Dam wall 2.jpg | image_size = 250 | image_caption = Atkinson Dam wall | image_alt = | location_map = Queensland | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = Location of the Atkinson Dam<br />in Queensland | coordinates = {{coord|27|25|42|S|152|26|39|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}} | country = Australia | location = South East Queensland | purpose = Irrigation | status = O | construction_began = | opening = 1970 | demolished = | cost = | operator = SEQ Water | dam_type = F | dam_height = {{convert|9|m|abbr=on}} | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_height_foundation= | dam_length = {{convert|2088|m|abbr=on}} | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{convert|74|e3m3|abbr=on}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_crosses = Buaraba Creek | spillway_count = One | spillway_type = Uncontrolled | spillway_capacity = {{convert|439|m3/s|abbr=on}} | res_name = Lake Atkinson | res_capacity_total = {{convert|30500|ML|abbr=on}}<ref name=sunwater>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sunwater.com.au/water_store.htm |title=Sunwater Current Water Storage Information |access-date=18 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528155009/http://www.sunwater.com.au/water_store.htm |archive-date=28 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="seqwater">{{cite web|url=http://seqwater.com.au/index.htm |title=Atkinson Dam |publisher=SEQ Water |work=Water supply: Dams & weirs |access-date=23 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525093928/http://seqwater.com.au/index.htm |archive-date=25 May 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = {{convert|32.72|km2|abbr=on}} | res_surface = {{convert|556|ha|abbr=on}} | res_elevation = {{convert|65.7|m|abbr=on}} | res_max_depth = {{convert|9|m|abbr=on}} | res_max_length = {{convert|4.2|km|abbr=on}} | res_max_width = {{convert|2.5|km|abbr=on}} | website = {{URL|http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/atkinson-dam|www.seqwater.com.au}} }} The '''Atkinson Dam''' is an earth-fill embankment dam across the Buaraba Creek and a naturally forming lagoon, which is located near Lowood in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for irrigation of farming land in the lower Lockyer Valley. The resultant reservoir is called '''Lake Atkinson'''.
==Location and features== Located in the locality of Atkinsons Dam, {{convert|22|km}} northeast of {{QLDcity|Gatton}} in the Somerset Region local government area of West Moreton region, the dam wall was constructed in 1970 over the natural Atkinsons Lagoon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/atkinson.htm|title=Atkinsons Dam|website=Sweetwater Fishing|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115230517/http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/atkinson.htm|archive-date=15 November 2019|access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref>
The dam wall is {{convert|9|m}} high and {{convert|2088|m}} long and holds back {{convert|30500|ML|e6impgal+e6USgal}} of water when at full capacity. The surface area of the reservoir is {{convert|556|ha}} and the catchment area is {{convert|32.72|km2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Atkinson {{!}} Seqwater|url=https://www.seqwater.com.au/dams/atkinson|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.seqwater.com.au}}</ref> The uncontrolled spillway has a discharge capacity of {{convert|439|m3/s}}.<ref name="seqwater"/><ref name=ancold>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls|format=Excel (requires download)|title=Register of Large Dams in Australia|publisher=Australian National Committee on Large Dams|year=2010|access-date=23 June 2014|work=Dams information|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212120804/http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The dam is connected to Seven Mile Lagoon via a {{convert|1.2|km|adj=on}} channel. Facilities at the dam include two boat ramps, picnic tables and two caravan parks. A maximum of 15 boats are permitted on the lake at any one time.<ref name="qlddams"/> In mid-2006 the dam was empty due to drought conditions in Australia.<ref name="cm1">{{cite news|work=The Courier Mail|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,19750947-3102,00.html |title=Tiny trickle sparks torrent|author=Williams, Brian|access-date=21 April 2008|date=11 June 2006 }}</ref>
==Fishing== Fish stocking of silver perch, bass, southern saratoga and golden perch has resulted in an excellent fishery, although the dry periods, high evaporation rates and drawdowns for irrigation in summer, result in low water levels as well as oxygen depleted water which makes fishing much more difficult.<ref name="qlddams">{{cite book |title=Queensland Dams |last=Harrison |first=Rod |author2=James, Ernie|author3=Sully, Chris|author4=Classon, Bill|author5=Eckermann, Joy |year=2008 |publisher=Australian Fishing Network |location=Bayswater, Victoria |isbn=978-1-86513-134-4 |pages=62–63 }}</ref> Other fish that are present includes eel-tailed catfish and spangled perch.
==See also== {{Stack|{{portal|Queensland}}}} * List of dams in Queensland
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons-inline}} * [http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/atkinson.htm Atkinson's Dam Fishing Information, Map, pictures & Water Level Gauge]
{{WaterQueensland |state=autocollapse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkinson Dam}} Category:Dams completed in 1970 Category:Buildings and structures in Somerset Region Category:Dams in Queensland Atkinson, Lake Category:Earth-filled dams Category:1970 establishments in Australia Category:Lockyer Valley Region