Atkinson Dam

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title: "Atkinson Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["dams-completed-in-1970", "buildings-and-structures-in-somerset-region", "dams-in-queensland", "reservoirs-in-queensland", "earth-filled-dams", "1970-establishments-in-australia", "lockyer-valley-region"] topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]

Field	Value
name	Atkinson Dam
image	Atkinson Dam wall 2.jpg
image_size	250
image_caption	Atkinson Dam wall
location_map	Queensland
location_map_caption	Location of the Atkinson Dam
in Queensland
coordinates
country	Australia
location	South East Queensland
purpose	Irrigation
status	O
opening	1970
operator	SEQ Water
dam_type	E
dam_height	9 m
dam_length	2088 m
dam_volume	74 e3m3
dam_crosses	Buaraba Creek
spillway_count	One
spillway_type	Uncontrolled
spillway_capacity	439 m3/s
res_name	Lake Atkinson
res_capacity_total	30500 ML
res_catchment	32.72 km2
res_surface	556 ha
res_elevation	65.7 m
res_max_depth	9 m
res_max_length	4.2 km
res_max_width	2.5 km
website
::

| name = Atkinson Dam | name_official = | image = Atkinson Dam wall 2.jpg | image_size = 250 | image_caption = Atkinson Dam wall | image_alt = | location_map = Queensland | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = Location of the Atkinson Dam in Queensland | coordinates = | country = Australia | location = South East Queensland | purpose = Irrigation | status = O | construction_began = | opening = 1970 | demolished = | cost = | operator = SEQ Water | dam_type = E | dam_height = 9 m | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_height_foundation= | dam_length = 2088 m | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = 74 e3m3 | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_crosses = Buaraba Creek | spillway_count = One | spillway_type = Uncontrolled | spillway_capacity = 439 m3/s | res_name = Lake Atkinson | res_capacity_total = 30500 ML | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = 32.72 km2 | res_surface = 556 ha | res_elevation = 65.7 m | res_max_depth = 9 m | res_max_length = 4.2 km | res_max_width = 2.5 km | website = The Atkinson Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam across the Buaraba Creek and a naturally forming lagoon, which is located near Lowood in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for irrigation of farming land in the lower Lockyer Valley. The resultant reservoir is called Lake Atkinson.

Location and features

Located in the locality of Atkinsons Dam, 22 km northeast of in the Somerset Region local government area of West Moreton region, the dam wall was constructed in 1970 over the natural Atkinsons Lagoon.

The dam wall is 9 m high and 2088 m long and holds back 30500 ML of water when at full capacity. The surface area of the reservoir is 556 ha and the catchment area is 32.72 km2. The uncontrolled spillway has a discharge capacity of 439 m3/s.

The dam is connected to Seven Mile Lagoon via a 1.2 km channel. Facilities at the dam include two boat ramps, picnic tables and two caravan parks. A maximum of 15 boats are permitted on the lake at any one time. In mid-2006 the dam was empty due to drought conditions in Australia.

Fishing

Fish stocking of silver perch, bass, southern saratoga and golden perch has resulted in an excellent fishery, although the dry periods, high evaporation rates and drawdowns for irrigation in summer, result in low water levels as well as oxygen depleted water which makes fishing much more difficult. Other fish that are present includes eel-tailed catfish and spangled perch.

References

References

1. "Sunwater Current Water Storage Information".
2. "Atkinson Dam". [[Seqwater.
3. "Atkinsons Dam".
4. "Atkinson {{!}} Seqwater".
5. (2010). "Register of Large Dams in Australia". [[Australian National Committee on Large Dams]].
6. Williams, Brian. (11 June 2006). "Tiny trickle sparks torrent". [[The Courier Mail]].
7. Harrison, Rod. (2008). "Queensland Dams". Australian Fishing Network.

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