Paluma Dam

Reservoir in City of Townsville, Queensland

18°57′14″S 146°08′53″E / 18.9539°S 146.148°E / -18.9539; 146.148TypeReservoirPrimary inflowsSwamp CreekPrimary outflowsPipeline to Crystal Creek, Swamp CreekBasin countriesAustraliaWater volume11,830 megalitres (15,470,000 cu yd)Surface elevation893.2 metres (2,930 ft)

Paluma Dam is an embankment dam across Swamp Creek, situated on the western slopes of the Paluma Range, north of Townsville.^[1] The reservoir formed by Paluma Dam is known as Lake Paluma. Paluma Dam is managed by Townsville City Council.^[2]

The embankment is approximately 255 metres (837 ft) long and has a 60.9 metres (200 ft) long spillway. In addition to the main embankment, there are two saddle dams. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 11,830 megalitres (15,470,000 cu yd).^[1] The reservoir is surrounded by the Paluma Range National Park, but does not form a part of the park.^[3]

Water decanted from the dam is piped 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) to the Crystal Creek catchment, on the eastern slopes of the Paluma Range. This water supplements natural flow in Crystal Creek, which is drawn from for supply of water to the city of Townsville. Maximum outflow from the dam is 43.2 ML/day.^[1]

Paluma Dam was constructed between 1957 and 1958. The original storage capacity was 10,273 ML. This was increased to 11,496 ML in 1981 and then to 11,830 ML in 2020. These increases in capacity were achieved by adding flashboards to the spillway.^[2]

Paluma Dam can be accessed via Paluma Dam Road. The lake and the surrounding national park are used for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, swimming and non-motorised boating.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Paluma Dam Emergency Action Plan 2021" (PDF). Townsville City Council. pp. 11–12. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b Water Supply: Paluma Dam. City of Townsville. Retrieved on 15 November 2021.
^ "Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994". Queensland Legislation. p. 35. Retrieved 27 October 2021.

External links

Lake Paluma – Townsville City Council
Paluma Range National Park

Water supply in Queensland, Australia

Dams and reservoirs by region

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South West Queensland	E.J. Beardmore Neil Turner Weir
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Central Queensland	Lake Awoonga Burton Gorge Callide Fairbairn Fitzroy River Barrage Kroombit Middle Creek Number 7 Teemburra Theresa Creek
North Queensland	Bamboo Burdekin Falls Eungella Gattonvale Offstream Storage Kinchant Paluma Peter Faust Ross River Solomon Teviot Creek
Far North Queensland	Copperlode Falls Ibis Irvinebank Koombooloomba Return Creek Southedge Stannary Hills Lake Tinaroo Wild River
North West Queensland	Lake Belmore Corella East Leichhardt Lake Julius Kidston Lake Moondarra Rifle Creek
Historical	Nindooinbah Tallebudgera Creek

Water resource management by function

Companies and government agencies	Gold Coast Water Queensland Urban Utilities seqwater SunWater WaterSecure
Other sources / facilities	Bradfield Scheme Bundaberg Irrigation Scheme Gold Coast Desalination Plant Mount Crosby Pumping Station SEQ Water Grid Toowoomba Water Futures referendum, 2006 Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme
Regulators	Department of Energy and Water Supply
Historical	Brisbane Water LinkWater Queensland Water Commission SEQ Water Grid Manager