Bjelke-Petersen Dam

The earth and rock fill dam wall has a central clay core that is high and long. The reservoir has a capacity of , The reservoir feeds the Barker Barambah Scheme, an irrigation scheme that diverts water from the dam for farming in , and . Water flows via a gravity pipeline regulated via outlets to the Joe Sippel Weir and the Silverleaf Weir. == History ==

Construction of the dam commenced in 1984 and finished in 1988. It created the lake that was named Lake Barambah after the original property in the region. The dam was named after the Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. The dam first overflowed in February 1999, and reached its highest level of 195.01% ( over the spillway) in January 2011. In 2006, drought conditions had reduced dam levels to 5% of total capacity. With such low levels, visitors numbers had dropped significantly and local councils were concerned about maintaining drinking water for local towns. SunWater, the managing organisation of the dam, undertook a dam spillway capacity upgrade program to ensure the highest level of safety for their dams is maintained. The spillway upgrade commenced in 2007 and was completed in 2008. == Recreation activities ==

Facilities for caravans, cabins, camping and day-trippers are extensive. Under normal conditions there are no boating restrictions, except near the dam wall. • Bjelke-Petersen Dam (West) () • Bjelke-Petersen Dam (East) () Fishing The dam is stocked with bass, golden perch, silver perch and southern saratoga. Additionally eel-tailed catfish, spangled perch and bony bream are present naturally. The Bjelke-Petersen Dam Fishing Classic is held every October. ==See also==