Leslie Dam
{{about|the dam|the surrounding locality of the same name|Leslie Dam, Queensland}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Leslie Dam
| image = Leslie Dam (Queensland) (2104482638).jpg
| caption =
| image_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map = Queensland
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = 11km west of Warwick
| coords = {{coord|-28.21722|151.91833|type:waterbody_region:AU|display=inline,title}}
| type = Reservoir
| inflow =
| outflow = Sandy Creek
| catchment = {{convert|603|km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries = Australia
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|1288|ha|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|28.9|m|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|106,250|ML|acre.ft|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|472.4|m|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities =
}}
Leslie Dam is a dam in the locality of the same name Leslie Dam, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.{{Cite QPN|49998|Leslie Dam|dam wall in Southern Downs Region|access-date=27 October 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Leslie Dam |url=https://www.sunwater.com.au/dams/leslie-dam/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Sunwater |language=en-AU |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026200416/https://www.sunwater.com.au/dams/leslie-dam/ |url-status=live }} It impounds Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Condamine River, to create Lake Leslie ({{Coord|-28.2367|151.9061|type:waterbody_region:AU-QLD|name=Lake Leslie}}).{{cite QPN|19220|Lake Leslie|reservoir in Southern Downs Region|access-date=27 October 2023}} It is {{Convert|11|km||abbr=}} from Warwick town centre. It was built for water storage and not for flood mitigation. Freshwater fishing and water sports facilities are available.
History
Leslie Dam was completed in December 1965. The dam and the lake were named after Patrick Leslie (1815–1881), an early settler in the region and the first person to buy land in Warwick.
File:Leslie Dam Spillway 20042018.jpg
The dam was extended in 1986, increasing capacity by 100%. The dam's highest level was reached on 12 September 1988 when waters in the dam peaked at {{Convert|20|cm}} above the spillway.{{Cite news |author=Sollars |first=Jeremy |last2=Garvey |first2=Casandra |date=7 January 2011 |title=Highway to west re-opened |newspaper=Warwick Daily News |publisher=The Warwick Newspaper Pty Limited |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/highway-to-west-reopened/news-story/f243d6ea358cbd4e072e4bfe7b584c0d |url-status=live |accessdate=27 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026195152/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/highway-to-west-reopened/news-story/f243d6ea358cbd4e072e4bfe7b584c0d?nk=139c6bbe4d767545420c29481045b15f-1698349912 |archive-date=26 October 2023}} The next highest level was {{Convert|13|cm}} above the spillway on 28 May 1990. On 11 February 1995, the dam reached its lowest level ever of 3% capacity.
On 21 October 2001, sculpltures of Patrick Leslie and his wife Kate Leslie were unveiled as part of the Centenary of Federation Celebrations and as a tribute to pioneering women.{{Cite web |title=Patrick & Kate Leslie |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/settlement/display/96847-patrick-and-kate-leslie- |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608213718/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/settlement/display/96847-patrick-and-kate-leslie- |url-status=live }}
In 2008, SunWater began a dam spillway capacity upgrade program to ensure a consistently high level of safety for the dams under their control, including the Leslie Dam.[http://www.sunwater.com.au/current_projects_Spillway.htm Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213234154/http://www.sunwater.com.au/current_projects_Spillway.htm|date=February 13, 2008}}{{Cite web |date=2008-07-20 |title=Current Projects |url=http://www.sunwater.com.au/current_projects_Spillway.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720111304/http://www.sunwater.com.au/current_projects_Spillway.htm |archive-date=2008-07-20 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=SunWater}}
On the night of 5 January 2011, the dam spilled for the first time in more than two decades. All seven floodgates were opened. The resulting high waters in Sandy Creek closed the Cunningham Highway. The following day SunWater reduced the release rate after requests by Warwick's mayor, Ron Bellingham.
Attractions
Fishing
A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam.[http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/1339.html Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829202115/http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/1339.html|date=August 29, 2007}}
See also
{{Portal|Queensland}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Leslie Dam}}
{{WaterQueensland |state=autocollapse}}
Category:Reservoirs in Queensland