Borumba Dam
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2014}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Borumba Dam
| name_official =
| image = Borumba Dam on Yabba Creek, circa 1970.png
| image_caption = Borumba Dam on Yabba Creek, circa 1970
| image_alt =
| location_map = Queensland
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption = Location of the Borumba Dam
in Queensland
| coordinates = {{coord|-26.50683|152.58182|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| country = Australia
| location = Wide Bay–Burnett, Queensland
| purpose = Irrigation and potable water supply
| status = O
| construction_began =
| opening = {{start date|1963}}; upgraded in {{start date|1997}} and {{start date|2009}}
| demolished =
| cost =
| operator = SEQ Water
| dam_type = E
| dam_height = {{convert|43|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_height_foundation =
| dam_length = {{convert|343|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume = {{convert|402|e3m3|abbr=on}}
| dam_elevation_crest =
| dam_crosses = Yabba Creek
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type = Uncontrolled
| spillway_capacity = {{convert|3140|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| res_name = Lake Borumba
| res_capacity_total = {{convert|45952|ML|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/borumba-dam|title=Borumba Dam|work=Water supply: Dams and weirs|publisher=Seqwater|date=2014|access-date=27 June 2014}}
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive =
| res_catchment = {{convert|465|km2|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{convert|480|ha|abbr=on}}
| res_elevation =
| res_max_depth =
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| website = {{URL|http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/borumba-dam|www.seqwater.com.au}}
}}
The Borumba Dam is a rock-fill embankment dam with an un-gated spillway located across the Yabba Creek, a tributary of the Mary River, in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia. The main purposes of the dam are for irrigation and potable water supply.{{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={{VICcity|Bayswater}}, Victoria|isbn=978-1-86513-134-4|pages=94 }}{{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}} The resultant impounded reservoir is called Lake Borumba.
Location and features
File:Borumba dam wall QLD - panoramio.jpg
Constructed in 1964, Borumba Dam is a popular destination for recreational fishers. The dam wall is located about {{convert|11|km}} south west of Imbil.
The dam wall is {{convert|43|m}} high and {{convert|343|m}} long and holds back {{convert|45952|ML}} of water when at full capacity. The surface area of the reservoir is {{convert|480|ha}} and the catchment area is {{convert|465|km2}}. The uncontrolled un-gated spillway has a discharge capacity of {{convert|3140|m3/s}}. The dam is managed by Seqwater. The dam wall was raised by {{convert|2.5|m}} and completed in 1997. In 1980 Ern Grant B.Sc. M.Sc. of Ern Grants Guide to Fishes fame was instrumental in setting up a Freshwater Fish Hatchery at Borumba. The Hatchery is no longer in operation. During 2008 and 2009 the dam wall was raised by another {{convert|1.6|m}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=46&storyCode=2056653 |title=Spillways step up for assessment |date=16 June 2010 |work=International Dam and Power Construction |publisher=Global Trade Media |access-date=26 September 2012 }} {{dead link|date=June 2014}} The second upgrade was intended to allow better management of extreme rainfall events.{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/09/2212215.htm?site=widebay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122757/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/09/2212215.htm?site=widebay |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2015 |title=Borumba Dam upgrade won't include storage boost |access-date=26 September 2012 |date=9 April 2008 |work=ABC News|location=Australia}}
According to a local councillor the spillway developed a crack after an earthquake on 1 December 1991.{{Cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/fault-line-on-dam-site/story-e6freoyo-1111112916405 |title=Fault line on dam site |author=Green, Glenis |access-date=26 September 2012 |date=30 January 2007 |newspaper=The Courier-Mail }}
In August 2021 the Queensland Government announced $22m in funding for analysis of a proposed pumped hydro-electric project, utilising a new dam built above Borumba Dam.{{Cite web|title=Borumba pumped hydro project to take next step in partnership with community|url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92911 |access-date=2021-10-23|website=Ministerial Media Statements|language=en}} It could store 2 GigaWatt of power running 24 hours, and may cost $14 billion.{{cite web |title=New consultation round opened for giant pumped hydro project |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/new-consultation-round-opened-for-giant-pumped-hydro-project/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=10 July 2024}}
In 2025, the Project was considered to be significantly over budget and delayed. The project's costs have surged from $14.2 billion to $18.4 billion, with a new completion estimate set no earlier than 2033, potentially extending to July 2035. This 2,000-megawatt facility aimed to power two million homes as a key component of the previous state government's renewable energy initiative. The revised costs and timelines have been attributed to steep increases in construction expenses and protracted approval processes. QLD Treasurer David Janetzki has criticised the previous administration for the financial and scheduling overshoots and is exploring smaller, more manageable project alternatives. Concerns about the project's environmental impact on the Mary River and surrounding ecosystems have also been raised, with calls for greater transparency and public access to project reports. {{cite web |title=Borumba Dam project delayed amid cost blowouts |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-04/borumba-dam-project-delayed-amid-cost-blowouts/104683332 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU |date=4 December 2024}}
Recreation
File:Lake Borumba Panorama.jpg
A range of recreation activities are permitted at Borumba Dam including boating (powered and non-powered), canoeing and kayaking, water skiing and jet skiing, fishing, camping, and walking. Picnic and barbeque facilities are available.
Naturally occurring blue-green algae blooms sometimes mean Seqwater closes access to the dam's water for public safety purposes.{{Cite news |url=http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2012/01/13/heat-turns-dam-blue/ |title=Dam recreation shut down |access-date=26 September 2012 |date=13 January 2012 |newspaper=The Gympie Times }}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Queensland}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Borumba Dam}}
- [http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Borumba.htm Borumba Dam Fishing Information, Map, pictures & Water Level Gauge]
- [http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia?action=PASearch&mode=subject&complete1=true&attribute1=subject&term1=Borumba+Dam Pictures- National Library of Australia]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
{{WaterQueensland |state=autocollapse}}
Category:Reservoirs in Queensland
Category:1963 establishments in Australia
Category:Mary River (Queensland)