The Wappa Dam is a
mass concrete gravity
In physics, gravity (), also known as gravitation or a gravitational interaction, is a fundamental interaction, a mutual attraction between all massive particles. On Earth, gravity takes a slightly different meaning: the observed force b ...
arch
An arch is a curved vertical structure spanning an open space underneath it. Arches may support the load above them, or they may perform a purely decorative role. As a decorative element, the arch dates back to the 4th millennium BC, but stru ...
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...
with
earth-fill abutments and an
un-gated spillway across the
South Maroochy River that is located in the
South East
Southeast is a compass point.
Southeast, south-east, south east, southeastern, south-eastern, or south eastern may also refer to:
* Southeast (direction), an intercardinal direction
Places United Kingdom
* South East England
* South East Lond ...
region of
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
. The main purpose of the dam is for
supply
Supply or supplies may refer to:
*The amount of a resource that is available
**Supply (economics), the amount of a product which is available to customers
**Materiel, the goods and equipment for a military unit to fulfill its mission
*Supply, as ...
of
potable water
Drinking water or potable water is water that is safe for ingestion, either when drunk directly in liquid form or consumed indirectly through food preparation. It is often (but not always) supplied through taps, in which case it is also calle ...
for the
Sunshine Coast Sunshine Coast may refer to:
* Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
**Sunshine Coast Region, a local government area of Queensland named after the region
**Sunshine Coast Stadium
* Sunshine Coast (British Columbia), geographic subregion of the Br ...
region.
The impounded
reservoir
A reservoir (; ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam, usually built to water storage, store fresh water, often doubling for hydroelectric power generation.
Reservoirs are created by controlling a watercourse that drains an existing body of wa ...
is also called Wappa Dam. The dam and most of the reservoir are within
Kiamba with the most northerly part of the reservoir in
Cooloolabin, both in the
Sunshine Coast Region
The Sunshine Coast Region is a local government area located in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia, from which it takes its name.
It was created by the amalgamation in 2008 of the City of Caloundra and the Shires o ...
.
Location and features
The dam is located north-west of .
Completed in 1963, the concrete dam structure is high and long. The dam wall holds back the reservoir when at full capacity. From a
catchment area
A catchment area in human geography, is the area from which a location, such as a city, service or institution, attracts a population that uses its services and economic opportunities. Catchment areas may be defined based on from where people are ...
of with a mean annual rainfall of approximately that includes much of the Maroochy River, the dam creates an unnamed reservoir with a surface area of . The ungated spillway has a discharge capacity of .
[ Initially managed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, management of the dam was transferred to SEQ Water in July 2008 as part of a ]water security
The aim of water security is to maximize the benefits of water for humans and ecosystems. The second aim is to limit the risks of destructive impacts of water to an acceptable level. These risks include too much water (flood), too little water (d ...
project in the South East Queensland region, known as the South East Queensland Water Grid
The SEQ Water Grid is a region-wide, long term, water supply scheme that provides a sustainable water infrastructure network for the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The project was the largest urban response to the drought in Austra ...
.
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. Picnic facilities are available at four locations around the dam,[ with access prohibited outside of daylight hours.]
See also
* List of dams in Queensland
References
External links
*
{{WaterQueensland , state=autocollapse
South East Queensland
Reservoirs in Queensland
Dams in Queensland
Dams completed in 1963
Gravity dams
1963 establishments in Australia
Arch dams
Buildings and structures on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland