{{short description|Dam in Queensland, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox dam | name = Lenthalls Dam | name_official = | image = Lenthall dam aerial.png | image_size = 220 | image_caption = The dam spillway overflowing in 2017 | image_alt = | location_map = Queensland | location_map_size = 220px | location_map_caption = Location of the dam in Queensland | location_map_alt = | mapframe = yes<!-- "yes" to show an interactive map --> | coordinates = {{coord|25.401162|S|152.531691|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|format=dms|display=it}}<!-- {{coord|..|..|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}--> | country = Australia | location = {{QLDcity|Maryborough}}, Fraser Coast, Wide Bay-Burnett, Queensland | purpose = W | status = O | construction_began = | opening = 1984; 2007 | demolished = | cost = | builder = | designed_by = GHD Group | owner = Fraser Coast Regional Council | operator = Wide Bay Water | dam_type = E | dam_crosses = Burrum River | dam_height_foundation = {{cvt|31.6|m}} | dam_height_thalweg = {{cvt|29.6|m}} | dam_length = {{cvt|445|m}} | dam_elevation_crest = {{cvt|34.6|m}} | dam_width_crest = {{cvt|6|m}} | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = {{cvt|28400|e3m3}} | spillway_count = 5 | spillway_type = Controlled gates | spillway_length = {{cvt|75.3|m}} | spillway_capacity = {{cvt|2500|m3/s}} | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | spillway_type2 = | spillway_length2 = | spillway_capacity2 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | spillway_type3 = | spillway_length3 = | spillway_capacity3 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | res_name = '''Lake Lenthall''' | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|28411|ML|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = {{cvt|518|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|766|ha}} | res_max_length = {{cvt|9|km}} | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = {{cvt|11|m}} | res_elevation = {{cvt|23|m}} {{AHD}} | res_tidal_range = | lower_dam_type = | lower_dam_crosses = | lower_dam_height_foundation = | lower_dam_height_thalweg = | lower_dam_length = | lower_dam_elevation_crest = | lower_dam_width_crest = | lower_dam_width_base = | lower_dam_volume = | lower_spillway_count = | lower_spillway_type = | lower_spillway_length = | lower_spillway_capacity = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | lower_spillway_type2 = | lower_spillway_length2 = | lower_spillway_capacity2 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | lower_spillway_type3 = | lower_spillway_length3 = | lower_spillway_capacity3 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | lower_res_name = | lower_res_capacity_total = | lower_res_capacity_active = | lower_res_capacity_inactive = | lower_res_catchment = | lower_res_surface = | lower_res_max_length = | lower_res_max_width = | lower_res_max_depth = | lower_res_elevation = | lower_res_tidal_range = | plant_name = | plant_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|..|..|type:landmark|display=inline}}--> | plant_operator = | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_turbines = | plant_pumpgenerators = | plant_pumps = | plant_capacity = | plant_capacity_factor = | plant_efficiency = | plant_storage_hours = | plant_annual_gen = | plant_annual_gen_year = | website = | extra = }} The '''Lenthalls Dam''' is an earth and rockfill embankment dam across the Burrum River, located near {{QLDcity|Duckinwilla}}, on the Fraser Coast, in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of Queensland, Australia. The impounded reservoir is called '''Lake Lenthall''' and its main purpose is the supply of potable water for Hervey Bay and surrounding townships within the Fraser Coast Region.<ref name=":0" /> The dam is owned by the Council and administered by Wide Bay Water, a council-owned subsidiary.
== History == Originally called the '''Burrum No 3 Dam''',<ref name=":0"/> the dam and lake were named after the pioneering family in the district.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Lenthall.htm |title=Sweetwater Fishing Australia |access-date=26 July 2008 |archive-date=21 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721183731/http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Lenthall.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite QPN|39027|Lake Lenthall|accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref>
The Lenthalls Dam was constructed in two stages, with Stage 1 completed in 1984 and Stage 2, completed in 2007, which installed the spillway gates and raised the dam wall by {{Convert|2|m}}. A further upgrade was completed in 2015 and comprised modifications to the spillway gates.<ref name=":0"/>
The dam wall is {{convert|31.6|m}} high and {{convert|445|m}} long. The resultant reservoir has a maximum capacity of {{convert|28411|ML|acre.ft|lk=on}} when full and covers {{convert|766|ha}}, drawn from a relatively small catchment area of {{Convert|518|km2}}. Due to its small size and an average depth of {{Convert|4|to|5|m}}, it takes a short time in moderate rain events to fill Lake Lenthall to 100% capacity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dlgwv.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1619741/lenthalls-eap.pdf |title=Lenthalls Dam: Emergency Action Plan |work=Fraser Coast Regional Council |publisher=Department of Local Government, Water, and Volunteers |date=30 September 2025 |access-date=2026-03-18 |pages=19-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Register of Large Dams Australia-2015 |date=January 2022 |access-date=2026-03-05 |url=https://ancold.org.au/information-resources/dams-information/ |work=ANCOLD |format=Excel. Requires download. Row 288 }}</ref> The spillway comprises five controlled gates with an ogee crest and concrete lined chute, capable of handling {{convert|2500|m3/s}} of water.<ref name=":0"/>
In January 2013 due to heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald, the lake reached its highest recorded level of {{Convert|30.4|m}}, that was {{Convert|4.4|m}} over the spillway.<ref name=":0" />
== Recreation == The reservoir is stocked with Australian native fish such as barramundi, bass, golden perch and silver perch under the Queensland Governments stocked impoundment permit scheme. Other aquatic species which inhabit the lake include spangled grunter, saratoga, Krefft's turtle, Flinders Ranges mogurnda, rainbow fish, firetail gudgeon, long finned eel and many more. The lake is home to a myriad of reptiles, insects, bird life and mammals.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} A ''Stocked Impoundment Permit'' is required to fish in the dam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/1339.html |title=Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit |work=Department of Primary Industry. Queensland Government |date= |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829202115/http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/1339.html |archive-date=2007-08-29 }}</ref>
A significant black-breasted buttonquails reside within the dry vine rain forests on the ridges overlooking Lake Lenthall.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Queensland|Water}}}} *List of dams and reservoirs in Australia
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{WaterQueensland |state=autocollapse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lenthalls, Dam}} Category:1984 establishments in Australia Category:Dams completed in 1984 Category:Dams in Queensland Category:Earth-filled dams Category:Fraser Coast Region Category:Reservoirs in Queensland Category:Rock-filled dams Category:Wide Bay–Burnett
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