# Atkinson Dam

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Dam
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{{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](/source/Queensland)
| coordinates          = {{coord|27|25|42|S|152|26|39|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| country              = Australia
| location             = [South East](/source/South_East_Queensland) [Queensland](/source/Queensland)
| purpose              = [Irrigation](/source/Irrigation)
| status               = O
| construction_began   = 
| opening              = 1970
| demolished           = 
| cost                 = 
| operator             = [SEQ Water](/source/Seqwater)
| 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](/source/Spillway)
| 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](/source/Seqwater) |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](/source/embankment_dam) [dam](/source/dam) across the Buaraba Creek and a naturally forming [lagoon](/source/lagoon), which is located near [Lowood](/source/Lowood%2C_Queensland) in the [South East](/source/South_East_Queensland) region of [Queensland](/source/Queensland), Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for [irrigation](/source/irrigation) of farming land in the lower [Lockyer Valley](/source/Lockyer_Valley). The resultant [reservoir](/source/reservoir_(water)) is called '''Lake Atkinson'''.

==Location and features==
Located in the locality of [Atkinsons Dam](/source/Atkinsons_Dam%2C_Queensland), {{convert|22|km}} northeast of {{QLDcity|Gatton}} in the [Somerset Region](/source/Somerset_Region) local government area of [West Moreton](/source/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](/source/Microsoft_Excel) (requires download)|title=Register of Large Dams in Australia|publisher=[Australian National Committee on Large Dams](/source/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 ramp](/source/boat_ramp)s, picnic tables and two [caravan parks](/source/caravan_parks). A maximum of 15&nbsp;boats are permitted on the lake at any one time.<ref name="qlddams"/> In mid-2006 the dam was empty due to [drought](/source/drought_in_Australia) conditions in Australia.<ref name="cm1">{{cite news|work=[The Courier Mail](/source/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](/source/Fish_stocking) of [silver perch](/source/Bidyanus_bidyanus), [bass](/source/bass_(fish)), [southern saratoga](/source/southern_saratoga) and [golden perch](/source/golden_perch) has resulted in an excellent fishery, although the dry periods, high [evaporation](/source/evaporation) rates and drawdowns for irrigation in summer, result in low water levels as well as [oxygen depleted](/source/oxygen_depletion) 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](/source/Bayswater%2C_Victoria) |isbn=978-1-86513-134-4 |pages=62–63 }}</ref> Other fish that are present includes [eel-tailed catfish](/source/eel-tailed_catfish) and [spangled perch](/source/spangled_perch).

==See also==
{{Stack|{{portal|Queensland}}}}
* [List of dams in Queensland](/source/List_of_dams_and_reservoirs_in_Australia)

==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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Atkinson Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Dam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Dam?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.