Ewen Maddock Dam

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title: "Ewen Maddock Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sunshine-coast,-queensland", "dams-completed-in-1973", "dams-in-queensland", "earth-filled-dams", "1973-establishments-in-australia", "embankment-dams"] topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewen_Maddock_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

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

Field	Value
name	Ewen Maddock Dam
location_map_caption	Location of the Ewen Maddock Dam
in Queensland
coordinates
country	Australia
location	Landsborough, South East Queensland
purpose	Potable water supply
status	O
construction_began
opening	; upgrade
operator	SEQ Water
dam_type	E
dam_crosses	Addlington Creek
dam_length	660 -
dam_volume	352 e3m3
spillway_type	Uncontrolled
spillway_capacity	132 m3/s
res_capacity_total	16587 ML
res_catchment	21 km2
res_surface	397 ha
res_max_length	3.1 m
res_max_width	2.6 m
res_max_depth	4.5 m
website
image_size	250
location_map	Queensland
dam_height	11.4 m
::

| name = Ewen Maddock Dam | name_official = | image_caption = | image_alt = | location_map_caption = Location of the Ewen Maddock Dam in Queensland | coordinates = | country = Australia | location = Landsborough, South East Queensland | purpose = Potable water supply | status = O | construction_began = | opening = ; upgrade | demolished = | cost = | operator = SEQ Water | dam_type = E | dam_crosses = Addlington Creek | dam_height_foundation = | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = 660 - | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = 352 e3m3 | spillway_count = | spillway_type = Uncontrolled | spillway_capacity = 132 m3/s | res_name = | res_capacity_total = 16587 ML | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = 21 km2 | res_surface = 397 ha | res_max_length = 3.1 m | res_max_width = 2.6 m | res_max_depth = 4.5 m | res_elevation = | website = | image = | image_size = 250 | location_map = Queensland | location_map_size = | dam_height = 11.4 m The Ewen Maddock Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam with an un-gated spillway across the Addlington Creek that is located in Landsborough in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for potable water supply of the Sunshine Coast region.

Location and features

The Ewen Maddock Dam is situated within the locality of Landsborough 3 km from the town of Landsborough and approximately 5 km southeast of Mooloolah and to supply the fast-growing region with town water. The dam is built across the Addlington Creek, a tributary of the Mooloolah River, and was commenced in 1973, completed in 1976, with a subsequent upgrade to the height of the spillway in 1982.

The earthfill dam structure is 11.4 m high and 660 - in length to hold back 16587 ML reservoir when at full capacity. From a catchment area of 21 km2, the dam creates an unnamed reservoir with an average depth of 4.5 m. The surface area of the 3.1 km long and 2.6 km wide reservoir is 397 ha. The uncontrolled un-gated spillway has a discharge capacity of 132 m3/s. The dam is managed by Seqwater.

Water supply

In the past, raw water from the dam has been supplied to a treatment plant at Caloundra. Since 1988 Ewen Maddock Dam was not used as a water source due to a lack of working water treatment infrastructure. In 2007, work began on an 30 million water treatment plant that will allow the dam to supply drinking water to the South East Queensland Water Grid, via the Northern Pipeline inter-connector. The Queensland Government incorporated a 100 m timber boardwalk along the reservoir's edge into the revised master plan when open space at Ewen Maddock Park was resumed for the treatment plant's construction.

Recreation

Swimming is permitted in the reservoir. Boating is limited to paddle power, due to the likelihood that powered boats would agitate the water and cause noxious weeds to break apart and spread.

Access is limited to daylight hours and no camping is permitted, except at a group camping site with cabins and dormitories, called the Ewen Maddock Dam Recreation Centre which is located at the south eastern end of the lake.

Fauna and Flora

Ewen Maddock Dam is stocked with bass, silver perch, golden perch and southern saratoga, while bony bream is also present naturally. As Of September 1, 2016 the lake is on the "Stocked impoundments" register and requires a "SIPS" permit for fishing. The lake is weedy and shallow, except in the northern parts close to the dam wall. The weed species, Cabomba and Salvinia, have been the target of weed eradication programs by CalAqua. The dam is a good place to see jabirus. South-eastern banks of the lake are heavily forested and protected within the Beerwah State Forest.

References

References

1. (2014). "Ewen Maddock Dam". [[Seqwater]].
2. (2010). "Register of Large Dams in Australia". [[Australian National Committee on Large Dams]].
3. Harrison, Rod. (2008). "Queensland Dams". Australian Fishing Network.
4. "Water supply". [[Sunshine Coast Regional Council]].
5. (23 March 2007). "Details still sought on water piping plan". [[ABC News (Australia).
6. (16 December 2008). "Project goes swimmingly at Ewen Maddock Dam". [[Sunshine Coast Regional Council]].
7. "Ewen Maddock Recreation Centre".
8. (9 October 2003). "Caloundra City launches attack on water weeds". [[Sunshine Coast Regional Council]] }} {{Dead link.

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