Southedge Dam

Southedge Dam
View of Lake Mitchell, created by Southedge Dam, from the Mulligan Highway, 2009
Location of the dam wall in Queensland
Official name	Lake Mitchell Dam
Country	Australia
Location	Southedge, Queensland
Coordinates	16°46′41″S 145°18′22″E
Purpose	Irrigation
Status	Operational
Construction began	1986 (1986)
Opening date	1987 (1987)
Owner(s)	Southedge Pastoral Pty Ltd
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment dam
Impounds	Mitchell River
Height (foundation)	16.5 metres (54 ft)
Length	530 metres (1,740 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Lake Mitchell
Total capacity	190,000 megalitres (42×10^^9 imp gal; 50×10^^9 US gal)
Active capacity	129,000 megalitres (28×10^^9 imp gal; 34×10^^9 US gal)
Catchment area	321 square kilometres (124 sq mi)
Surface area	3,290 hectares (8,100 acres)

The Southedge Dam, also known as the Lake Mitchell Dam,[1] is an earth filled embankment dam across the Mitchell River located in Southedge, in Far North Queensland, Australia. Opened in 1987 as an ornamental lake, the impoundment created by the dam is called Lake Mitchell and at full supply level has an active capacity of 129,000 megalitres (28×10^^9 imp gal; 34×10^^9 US gal).

Location and features

Commenced in 1986 and opened a year later, the Southedge Dam wall consists of an earth-fill embankment 530 metres (1,740 ft) in length and 16.5 metres (54 ft) high. The reservoir has a catchment area of 321 square kilometres (124 sq mi). The reservoir has a total capacity of 190,000 ML (42,000,000×10^^3 imp gal; 50,000,000×10^^3 US gal) of water; and covers an area of 3,290 ha (8,100 acres).[1][2] Southedge Dam has remained unused since it was opened in 1987;[3] constructed and owned by Southedge Pastoral Company.[4][5]

When the dam spills over it flows into the Mitchell River.

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Queensland
• Quaid Road

References

1. "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
2. MITCHELL RIVER (QLD)- Assessment Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
3. Mitchell, draft water resource plan
4. WATER REGULATION 2002 - SCHEDULE 12 Archived 16 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
5. Queensland Environment Groups’ Submission

External links

• Photo on Flickr