, 2015 The dam is located approximately northwest of in the
Somerset Region and north of . The concrete dam structure is high and long. The dam wall holds back the A small hydroelectric power station is located adjacent to the dam wall. A water level of 90% is the optimum capacity for keeping
evaporation rates to a minimum. Dam operators discharge water into the
Wivenhoe Dam downstream to hold Somerset at this level when inflows are occurring. The dam is home to the
Somerset Dam Power Station.
Construction The site was first suggested for the location of a dam by Henry Somerset, the owner of
Caboonbah Homestead, after the
1893 Brisbane floods caused severe damage to
Brisbane River valley residents downstream. Worker's cottages had to be built and other facilities were constructed to attract construction workers and their families to the area. Opened in 1953 when structural work was finished, it was not until 1958 that the dam was officially named after Henry Somerset and the next year before all work related to the dam, including the
hydroelectric power station was complete. ==Recreation==