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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox lake
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}}
| lake_name = Lake Samsonvale
{{Infobox dam
| image_lake = NorthPineDam.JPG
| name = North Pine Dam
| caption_lake = North Pine Dam at only 27% capacity (2006)
| name_official =
| image_bathymetry =
| image_caption = The dam wall in 2006, with the reservoir at 27% of capacity.
| caption_bathymetry =
| image_alt =
| location = [[Moreton Bay Regional Council|Moreton Bay]], [[Queensland]]
| location_map_caption = Location of the North Pine Dam<br />in [[Queensland]]
| coords = {{coord|27.2719|S|152.9191|E|region:AU_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|27|15|48|S|152|56|12|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[Reservoir]]
| country = Australia
| inflow = [[North Pine River]]
| location = [[South East Queensland|South East]] [[Queensland]]
| outflow = [[North Pine River]]
| purpose = [[Potable water|Potable]] [[water supply]]<ref name=ancold/><ref name="seqwater"/>
| catchment = [[1 E8 m2|348 km²]]
| status = O
| basin_countries = Australia
| construction_began =
| length =
| opening = {{start date|1976|08|12|df=y}}
| width =
| demolished =
| area = 2200ha
| cost = {{AUD}}20&nbsp;million.<ref name="NPD"/>
| depth =
| operator = [[Seqwater|SEQ Water]]
| max-depth =
| dam_type = G
| volume = 214 960 [[Litre|ML]] <ref name="REF1"/><ref name="seqwater"/>
| dam_crosses = [[North Pine River]]
| residence_time =
| dam_height_foundation=
| shore =
| dam_height_thalweg =
| elevation = 39.63 m
| dam_length = {{convert|1375|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=ancold/><ref name="seqwater"/>
| islands =
| dam_elevation_crest =
| cities = [[Whiteside, Queensland|Whiteside]], [[Joyner, Queensland|Joyner]]
| dam_width_crest =
| reference = <ref name="REF1">[http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=DamOperationsAndMaintenance SEQ Water:Current Dam Levels]</ref><ref name="seqwater">[http://seqwater.com.au/index.htm Seqwater rainfall and dam level update]</ref>
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume = {{convert|450|e3m3|abbr=on}}<ref name=ancold/>
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type = [[Spillway#Types|Controlled]]
| spillway_capacity = {{convert|3700|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name=ancold/>
| res_name = Lake Samsonvale
| res_capacity_total = {{convert|214302|ML|e6impgal+e6USgal|abbr=on}}<ref name="seqwater">{{cite web|url=http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/north-pine-dam|title=North Pine Dam|work=Water supply: Dams and weirs|publisher=[[Seqwater]]|date=2014|access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="qlddams"/>
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment = {{convert|348|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=ancold/><ref name="seqwater"/>
| res_surface = {{convert|2200|ha|abbr=on}}<ref name="qlddams"/>
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| res_max_depth =
| res_elevation = {{convert|39.63|m|abbr=on}} {{AHD}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/north-pine-dam|www.seqwater.com.au}}
| image = NorthPineDam.JPG
| image_size = 250
| location_map = Queensland
| location_map_size =
| dam_height = {{convert|45|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=ancold/>
}}
}}
The '''North Pine Dam''' is a [[concrete|mass concrete]] [[gravity dam|gravity]] [[dam]] with [[earth-fill dam|earth-fill]] [[embankment dam|embankments on abutments]] with a [[Spillway#Types|gated spillway]] across the [[North Pine River]] that is located in the [[South East Queensland|South East]] region of [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. The main purpose of the dam is for [[water supply|supply]] of [[potable water]] for the [[Moreton Bay Regional Council|Moreton Bay]] region and [[Brisbane]]'s northern suburbs.<ref name=ancold>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls|format=[[Microsoft Excel|Excel]] (requires download)|title=Register of Large Dams in Australia|publisher=[[Australian National Committee on Large Dams]]|year=2010|access-date=5 July 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><ref name="qlddams"/> The impounded [[reservoir]] is called '''Lake Samsonvale'''.


==Location and features==
'''North Pine Dam''' is built across the [[North Pine River]], north-west of [[Brisbane]], within [[Moreton Bay Regional Council|Moreton Bay]] in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]].
The dam is located north-west of Brisbane, within the Moreton Bay region, at Joyner, near the settlements of Whiteside, and Petrie.


The North Pine Dam was designed by the Department of Local Government, with the Co-ordinator General's Department supervising construction contracts headed by [[Transfield Services|Transfield]]. The cost of the dam was {{AUD}}20&nbsp;million,<ref name="NPD">{{cite web|title=North Pine Dam|work=SEQWater's Dams|publisher=[[seqwater|SEQ Water]]|year=2002|url=http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=NorthPineDam|access-date=11 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106231431/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=NorthPineDam|archive-date=6 January 2008}}</ref> and the dam was opened on 12 August 1976 by the Lord Mayor of [[Brisbane City Council]], Alderman [[Frank Sleeman]].
The damming of North Pine River created an artificial lake called Lake Samsonvale to secure a supply of drinking water for the Moreton Bay region and Brisbane's northern suburbs.


The concrete dam structure is {{convert|45|m}} high and {{convert|1375|m}} long. The {{convert|450|e3m3|adj=on}} dam wall holds back the {{convert|215000|ML|e9impgal+e9USgal|adj=on}} reservoir when at full capacity. From a [[drainage basin|catchment area]] of {{convert|347|km2}} that includes much of the south{{endash}}eastern slopes of the [[D'Aguilar National Park]], the dam creates Lake Samsonvale at an elevation of {{convert|39.63|m|abbr=on}} [[Australian Height Datum|above sea level]], with a surface area of {{convert|2180|ha|acre}}. The gated spillway, with five steel gates, has a discharge capacity of {{convert|3700|m3/s}}.<ref name=ancold/> Initially managed by the Brisbane City Council and then [[SunWater]], management of the dam was transferred to [[Seqwater|SEQ Water]] in July 2008 as part of a [[water security]] project in the South East Queensland region, known as the [[South East Queensland Water Grid]].<ref name="cc">{{cite web |url=http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/political/water-funds-slash-debt/805745.aspx|title=Water funds slash debt |author=Hurst, Daniel|access-date=21 April 2008|date=7 July 2009|work=The Bayside Bulletin}}</ref> The accompanying water treatment plant is also managed by SEQ Water.
==Design and capacity==
The North Pine Dam is a mass concrete dam designed by the Department of Local Government, with the Co-ordinator General's Department supervising construction contracts. The cost of the dam was [[Australian dollar|A$]]20 million.<ref name="NPD">{{cite web | title = North Pine Dam | work = SEQWater's Dams | publisher = SEQWater | year = 2002 | url = http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=NorthPineDam | accessdate = 2008-01-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080106231431/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=NorthPineDam |archivedate = 2008-01-06}}</ref>


Prior to the initial flooding of the valley, many of the surrounding grazing and dairy farms were compulsorily acquired, and the only evidence of these farms is now the names of roads leading to the lake's shoreline, such as Winn Road and Golds Scrub Lane. Golds Scrub Lane now leads only to the Samsonvale Cemetery; prior to the flooding of the dam, the site was also home to a church and a post office. To allow for the dam's flooding, {{convert|27|km}} of road had to be relocated and rebuilt.<ref name="NPD"/>
Its dam wall is 580 metres long and 40 metres high, with a central [[concrete]] [[spillway]] section on which five steel gates are installed.


In May 2007, the dam, which was providing approximately {{convert|100|ML|e3impgal+e3USgal}} per day or 20% of the region's water supply, was taken offline as a safety precaution.<ref name="cm"/><ref name="abc">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200705/1925252.htm?queensland|title=Wivenhoe, Somerset to make up North Pine Dam shortfall|access-date=2 May 2008|date=17 May 2007|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia}}</ref> The [[drought in Australia]] caused water levels to drop to 14% capacity, the lowest since it was built. The cessation of water supply was meant to protect the dam from potential [[cyanobacteria|blue green algae]] blooms in the coming summer months.<ref name="cm">{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21746883-5007200,00.html |title=North Pine Dam taken offline|author=Thompson, Tuck|access-date=2 May 2008|date=17 May 2007|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|location=Queensland }}</ref> The operators continued to release between {{convert|8|-|10|ML|e6impgal+e6USgal}} per day to service the North Pine River.<ref name="cm"/>
The dam has a storage capacity of 214,960 megalitres with a catchment area of 348&nbsp;km². As at May 2009, it is storing approximately 214,960 megalitres - 100% of its capacity.


===Flood mitigation===
==History==
The North Pine Dam was designed with little [[flood mitigation]] capacity in mind, being designed only for water storage. As such, during flood seasons the location of the dam spillway causes the flooding and closure of Youngs Crossing Road.<ref name="NPD"/> Flood conditions last affected the dam catchment in October 2010, and prior to that 1991, 1989 and 2000 & 2009.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} The dam wall is also one of the few in Queensland to be located upstream of a large urban area, and in the event of overtopping or dam failure, [[Geoscience Australia]] suggests that the downstream urban population would be flooded within three hours.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Middelmann, Miriam|author2=Harper, Bruce|author3=Lacey, Rob|title=Natural Hazards and the risks they pose to South-East Queensland - 2001|journal=[[Geoscience Australia]]|publisher=Australian Government|date=11 March 2003|url=http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA4210.pdf|type=PDF|access-date=11 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829014616/http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA4210.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The North Pine Dam opened on 12 August 1976 by the Lord Mayor of [[Brisbane City Council]], Alderman [[Frank Sleeman]]. The accompanying water treatment plant is also managed by South East Queensland Water.

The dam meant that many of the surrounding grazing and dairy farms were compulsorily acquired, and the only evidence of these farms is now the names of roads leading to the lake's shoreline, such as Winn Road and Golds Scrub Lane. Golds Scrub Lane now leads only to the Samsonvale Cemetery; prior to the flooding of the dam, the site was also home to a church and a post office. To allow for the dam's flooding, 27 kilometres of road had to be relocated and rebuilt.<ref name="NPD"/>

In May 2007, the dam, which was providing about 100 ML per day or 20% of the [[South East Queensland]] region's water supply, was taken offline as a safety precaution.<ref name="cm"/><ref name="abc">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200705/1925252.htm?queensland |title=Wivenhoe, Somerset to make up North Pine Dam shortfall |accessdate=2008-05-02 |date=2007-05-17 |work=ABC Queensland |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] }}</ref> This was due to a [[drought in Australia|drought]] in which water levels had dropped to 14% capacity, the lowest since it was built. The cessation of water supply was meant to protect the dam from potential [[cyanobacteria|blue green algae]] blooms in the coming summer months.<ref name="cm">{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21746883-5007200,00.html |title=North Pine Dam taken offline |author=Tuck Thompson |accessdate=2008-05-02 |date=2007-05-17 |work=[[The Courier Mail]] |publisher=Queensland Newspapers }}</ref> The operators continued to release between 8-10 million litres per day to service the North Pine River.<ref name="cm"/>

==Flood mitigation==
The North Pine Dam was designed with little [[flood mitigation]] capacity in mind, being designed only for water storage. As such, during flood seasons the location of the dam spillway causes the flooding and closure of Youngs Crossing Road.<ref name="NPD"/>

Flood conditions last affected the dam catchment in October 2010, and prior to that 1991, 1989 and 2000 & 2009.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

The dam wall is also one of the few in Queensland to be located upstream of a large urban area, and in the event of overtopping or dam failure, [[Geoscience Australia]] suggests that the downstream urban population would be flooded within three hours.<ref>{{cite journal | coauthors = Miriam Middelmann, Bruce Harper, Rob Lacey | title = Natural Hazards and the risks they pose to South-East Queensland - 2001 | version = | publisher = Geoscience Australia | date = 2003-03-11 | url = http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA4210.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2008-01-11 }}</ref>


==Recreational uses==
==Recreational uses==
Recreational use of the lake and its surrounding bushland reserve is severely limited, with prohibited recreational activities including swimming, water skiing, diving, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing and kayaking, camping, and bushwalking.<ref name="RQSL"/>
Recreational use of the lake and its surrounding bushland reserve is severely limited, with prohibited recreational activities including swimming, water skiing, diving, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing and kayaking, camping, and bushwalking.<ref name="RQSL"/> Picnic facilities are available at four locations around the dam,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lake Samsonvale - Recreation Areas|work=[[seqwater|SEQ Water]] |year=2002|url=http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=Map_SamsonvaleLake|access-date=11 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019024451/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=Map_SamsonvaleLake|archive-date=19 October 2007}}</ref> with access prohibited outside of daylight hours.

Picnic facilities are available at four locations around the dam,<ref>{{cite web | title = Lake Samsonvale - Recreation Areas | work = Public Activities | publisher = SEQWater | year = 2002 | url = http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=Map_SamsonvaleLake | accessdate = 2008-01-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071019024451/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=Map_SamsonvaleLake |archivedate = 2007-10-19}}</ref> with access prohibited outside of daylight hours.


===Fishing===
===Fishing===
For many years fishing was banned in the dam.<ref name="qlddams"/> Lake Samsonvale has been [[fish stocking|stocked]] by Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association www.prfma.com.au with fresh water fish, including [[spangled perch]], [[snub-nosed garfish]], [[golden perch]], [[silver perch]], [[eastern freshwater cod]], [[saratoga (fish)|saratoga]] and [[Australian bass]], with varying levels of success.
For many years fishing was banned in the dam.<ref name="qlddams"/> Lake Samsonvale has been [[fish stocking|stocked]] by Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association www.prfma.com.au with fresh water fish, including [[spangled perch]], [[snub-nosed garfish]], [[golden perch]], [[Bidyanus bidyanus|silver perch]], [[eastern freshwater cod]], [[saratoga (fish)|saratoga]] and [[Australian bass]], with varying levels of success. The dam is also home to the noxious species [[tilapia]] which is a fine eating sportfish in its larger sizes but tends to overpopulate and stunt if uncontrolled, as well as a population of [[Australian red claw crayfish]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Fitzgerald|first=Garry|title= Lake Samsonvale ( North Pine Dam) - Petrie. Qld|work=Sweetwater Fishing Australia|date=22 October 2007|url=http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Samsonvale.htm|access-date=11 January 2008}}</ref> usually native only to Northern Queensland. Both the tilapia and red claw species are the target of considerable local effort for their capture and complete removal.<ref name="qlddams">{{cite book |title=Queensland Dams |author1=Harrison, 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=132–133 }}</ref>

The dam is also home to the noxious species [[tilapia]] which is a fine eating sportfish in its larger sizes but tends to overpopulate and stunt if uncontrolled, as well as a population of [[Australian red claw crayfish]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Fitzgerald | first = Garry | title = Lake Samsonvale ( North Pine Dam) - Petrie. Qld | work = Sweetwater Fishing Locations | publisher = Sweetwater Fishing Australia | date = 22 October 2007 | url = http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Samsonvale.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-11 }}</ref> usually native only to Northern Queensland. Both the tilapia and red claw species are the target of considerable local effort for their capture and complete removal.<ref name="qlddams">{{cite book |title=Queensland Dams |last=Harrison |first=Rod |authorlink= |coauthors=Ernie James, Chris Sully, Bill Classon, Joy Eckermann |year=2008 |publisher=Australian Fishing Network |location=[[Bayswater, Victoria]] |isbn=9781865131344 |pages=132–133 }}</ref>


Like various other Queensland freshwater fisheries, a stocked impoundment permit (SIPS) is required to fish in North Pine Dam.<ref name="qlddams"/><ref>{{cite web | title = Fishing in Queensland dams? You may need a permit | work = Fisheries | publisher = Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries | date = 26 May 2009 | url = http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/28_13268_ENA_HTML.htm | accessdate = 2009-05-26 }}</ref>
Like various other Queensland freshwater fisheries, a stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in North Pine Dam.<ref name="qlddams"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/permits-dams/stocked-impoundment-permit|title=Do I need a permit to go fishing in a dam?|work=Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|date=5 February 2013|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704083953/http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/permits-dams/stocked-impoundment-permit|archive-date=4 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Boating===
===Boating===
All boating on the lake is prohibited except through Two groups the Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association And the stocking group [http://www.prfma.com.au Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association] have 300 permits to release each year for non petrol powered craft to members of the public for a small licence fee <ref name="RQSL">{{cite web | title = Recreation Policies – SEQWater Lakes | work = Public Activities | publisher = SEQWater | year = 2002 | url = http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=RecreationalPolicies | accessdate = 2008-01-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071019024740/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=RecreationalPolicies |archivedate = 2007-10-19}}</ref>
All boating on the lake is prohibited except through two groups. The Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association and the stocking group [http://www.prfma.com.au Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association] have 300 permits to release each year for non petrol powered craft to members of the public for a small licence fee <ref name="RQSL">{{cite web|title=Recreation policies – SEQWater Lakes|work=[[seqwater|SEQ Water]]|year=2002|url=http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=RecreationalPolicies|access-date=11 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019024740/http://www.seqwater.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=RecreationalPolicies|archive-date=19 October 2007}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Queensland}}
{{stack|{{portal|Queensland|Water}}}}
*[[List of dams and reservoirs in Australia]]
*[[List of dams and reservoirs in Australia#Queensland|List of dams in Queensland]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{WaterQueensland |state=autocollapse}}
==External links==
*[http://www.seqwater.com.au/public/source-store-treat-supply/dams/north-pine-dam SEQWater's North Pine Dam]


[[Category:Pine Rivers, Queensland]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Lakes of Queensland|North Pine Dam]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1976]]
[[Category:Reservoirs and dams in Australia|North Pine Dam]]
[[Category:Dams in Queensland]]
[[Category:Gravity dams]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in Queensland|Samsonvale, Lake]]
[[Category:Shire of Pine Rivers]]
[[Category:South East Queensland]]

Latest revision as of 20:42, 25 September 2023

North Pine Dam
The dam wall in 2006, with the reservoir at 27% of capacity.
North Pine Dam is located in Queensland
North Pine Dam
Location of the North Pine Dam
in Queensland
CountryAustralia
LocationSouth East Queensland
Coordinates27°15′48″S 152°56′12″E / 27.26333°S 152.93667°E / -27.26333; 152.93667
PurposePotable water supply[1][2]
StatusOperational
Opening date12 August 1976 (1976-08-12)
Construction costA$20 million.[3]
Operator(s)SEQ Water
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsNorth Pine River
Height45 m (148 ft)[1]
Length1,375 m (4,511 ft)[1][2]
Dam volume450×10^3 m3 (16×10^6 cu ft)[1]
Spillway typeControlled
Spillway capacity3,700 m3/s (130,000 cu ft/s)[1]
Reservoir
CreatesLake Samsonvale
Total capacity214,302 ML (47,140×10^6 imp gal; 56,613×10^6 US gal)[2][4]
Catchment area348 km2 (134 sq mi)[1][2]
Surface area2,200 ha (5,400 acres)[4]
Normal elevation39.63 m (130.0 ft) AHD
Website
www.seqwater.com.au

The North Pine Dam is a mass concrete gravity dam with earth-fill embankments on abutments with a gated spillway across the North Pine River that is located in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for supply of potable water for the Moreton Bay region and Brisbane's northern suburbs.[1][4] The impounded reservoir is called Lake Samsonvale.

Location and features

[edit]

The dam is located north-west of Brisbane, within the Moreton Bay region, at Joyner, near the settlements of Whiteside, and Petrie.

The North Pine Dam was designed by the Department of Local Government, with the Co-ordinator General's Department supervising construction contracts headed by Transfield. The cost of the dam was A$20 million,[3] and the dam was opened on 12 August 1976 by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council, Alderman Frank Sleeman.

The concrete dam structure is 45 metres (148 ft) high and 1,375 metres (4,511 ft) long. The 450-thousand-cubic-metre (16×10^6 cu ft) dam wall holds back the 215,000-megalitre (47×10^9 imp gal; 57×10^9 US gal) reservoir when at full capacity. From a catchment area of 347 square kilometres (134 sq mi) that includes much of the south–eastern slopes of the D'Aguilar National Park, the dam creates Lake Samsonvale at an elevation of 39.63 m (130.0 ft) above sea level, with a surface area of 2,180 hectares (5,400 acres). The gated spillway, with five steel gates, has a discharge capacity of 3,700 cubic metres per second (130,000 cu ft/s).[1] Initially managed by the Brisbane City Council and then SunWater, management of the dam was transferred to SEQ Water in July 2008 as part of a water security project in the South East Queensland region, known as the South East Queensland Water Grid.[5] The accompanying water treatment plant is also managed by SEQ Water.

Prior to the initial flooding of the valley, many of the surrounding grazing and dairy farms were compulsorily acquired, and the only evidence of these farms is now the names of roads leading to the lake's shoreline, such as Winn Road and Golds Scrub Lane. Golds Scrub Lane now leads only to the Samsonvale Cemetery; prior to the flooding of the dam, the site was also home to a church and a post office. To allow for the dam's flooding, 27 kilometres (17 mi) of road had to be relocated and rebuilt.[3]

In May 2007, the dam, which was providing approximately 100 megalitres (22,000×10^3 imp gal; 26,000×10^3 US gal) per day or 20% of the region's water supply, was taken offline as a safety precaution.[6][7] The drought in Australia caused water levels to drop to 14% capacity, the lowest since it was built. The cessation of water supply was meant to protect the dam from potential blue green algae blooms in the coming summer months.[6] The operators continued to release between 8–10 megalitres (1.8×10^6–2.2×10^6 imp gal; 2.1×10^6–2.6×10^6 US gal) per day to service the North Pine River.[6]

Flood mitigation

[edit]

The North Pine Dam was designed with little flood mitigation capacity in mind, being designed only for water storage. As such, during flood seasons the location of the dam spillway causes the flooding and closure of Youngs Crossing Road.[3] Flood conditions last affected the dam catchment in October 2010, and prior to that 1991, 1989 and 2000 & 2009.[citation needed] The dam wall is also one of the few in Queensland to be located upstream of a large urban area, and in the event of overtopping or dam failure, Geoscience Australia suggests that the downstream urban population would be flooded within three hours.[8]

Recreational uses

[edit]

Recreational use of the lake and its surrounding bushland reserve is severely limited, with prohibited recreational activities including swimming, water skiing, diving, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing and kayaking, camping, and bushwalking.[9] Picnic facilities are available at four locations around the dam,[10] with access prohibited outside of daylight hours.

Fishing

[edit]

For many years fishing was banned in the dam.[4] Lake Samsonvale has been stocked by Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association www.prfma.com.au with fresh water fish, including spangled perch, snub-nosed garfish, golden perch, silver perch, eastern freshwater cod, saratoga and Australian bass, with varying levels of success. The dam is also home to the noxious species tilapia which is a fine eating sportfish in its larger sizes but tends to overpopulate and stunt if uncontrolled, as well as a population of Australian red claw crayfish,[11] usually native only to Northern Queensland. Both the tilapia and red claw species are the target of considerable local effort for their capture and complete removal.[4]

Like various other Queensland freshwater fisheries, a stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in North Pine Dam.[4][12]

Boating

[edit]

All boating on the lake is prohibited except through two groups. The Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association and the stocking group Pine Rivers Fish Stocking Association have 300 permits to release each year for non petrol powered craft to members of the public for a small licence fee [9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "North Pine Dam". Water supply: Dams and weirs. Seqwater. 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "North Pine Dam". SEQWater's Dams. SEQ Water. 2002. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Harrison, Rod; James, Ernie; Sully, Chris; Classon, Bill; Eckermann, Joy (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. pp. 132–133. ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
  5. ^ Hurst, Daniel (7 July 2009). "Water funds slash debt". The Bayside Bulletin. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  6. ^ a b c Thompson, Tuck (17 May 2007). "North Pine Dam taken offline". The Courier-Mail. Queensland. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Wivenhoe, Somerset to make up North Pine Dam shortfall". ABC News. Australia. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  8. ^ Middelmann, Miriam; Harper, Bruce; Lacey, Rob (11 March 2003). "Natural Hazards and the risks they pose to South-East Queensland - 2001" (PDF). Geoscience Australia (PDF). Australian Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  9. ^ a b "Recreation policies – SEQWater Lakes". SEQ Water. 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  10. ^ "Lake Samsonvale - Recreation Areas". SEQ Water. 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  11. ^ Fitzgerald, Garry (22 October 2007). "Lake Samsonvale ( North Pine Dam) - Petrie. Qld". Sweetwater Fishing Australia. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  12. ^ "Do I need a permit to go fishing in a dam?". Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Queensland Government. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
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