The Poona Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam with a toe drain with an un-gated spillway across a tributary of the South Maroochy River in Kureelpa, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] The main purpose of the dam is for storage of potable water for the Sunshine Coast region.[1] The impounded reservoir is also called Poona Dam.

Poona Dam
Poona Dam is located in Queensland
Poona Dam
Location of the Poona Dam
in Queensland
CountryAustralia
LocationSouth East Queensland
Coordinates26°35′46″S 152°54′36″E / 26.59611°S 152.91000°E / -26.59611; 152.91000
PurposePotable water storage[1]
StatusOperational
Opening date
  • 1959 (1959)
  • 1998 (1998) (spillway upgraded)
Operator(s)SEQ Water
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsTributary of South Maroochy River
Length650 m (2,130 ft)[1]
Spillway typeUncontrolled
Reservoir
Total capacity655 ML (144×10^6 imp gal; 173×10^6 US gal)[1]
Catchment area0.8 km2 (0.31 sq mi)[1]
Surface area17 ha (42 acres)
Maximum width410 m (1,350 ft)
Website
www.seqwater.com.au

Location and features

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The dam is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-west of Nambour.

The earthen dam structure is 650 metres (2,130 ft) long and holds back the 655-megalitre (144×10^6 imp gal; 173×10^6 US gal) reservoir when at full capacity. From a catchment area of 0.8 square kilometres (0.31 sq mi), the reservoir has a surface area of 17 hectares (42 acres) and a maximum width of 410 m (1,350 ft). Initially managed by the Maroochy Shire Council, 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.[3]

Recreation

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Recreation is not permitted on the dam and in its surrounds.[1]

History

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In 2008, the body of a deceased man was found on the eastern spillway of the dam wall.[4][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Poona Dam". Water supply: Dams and weirs. Seqwater. 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Poona Dam – reservoir in the Sunshine Coast Region (entry 49658)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ^ Hurst, Daniel (7 July 2009). "Water funds slash debt". The Bayside Bulletin. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Poona Dam mystery man". Sunshine Coast Daily. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Dead man leaves smiley face as only clue to identity". The Courier-Mail. Queensland. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2014. [dead link]
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