Lake Julius was formed following the construction of Julius Dam in 1976 for irrigation and town water storage. The dam wall is located just below the junction of the Leichhardt River and Paroo Creek some 70 km (43 mi) North East of Mount Isa. With a catchment area of 4,845 km2 (1,871 sq mi) it has a full supply capacity, at a supply level of 223.54m AHD, of 107,500 ML (3,800×10^6 cu ft), a surface area of 1,255 ha (3,100 acres) with an average depth of 8.9 m (29 ft).

Lake Julius (Julius Dam)
Lake Julius (Julius Dam) is located in Queensland
Lake Julius (Julius Dam)
Lake Julius (Julius Dam)
Location70 km (43 mi) North East of Mount Isa, Queensland
Coordinates20°07′53″S 139°43′23″E / 20.1315°S 139.723°E / -20.1315; 139.723
Lake typereservoir
Primary inflowsLeichhardt River, Paroo Creek
Primary outflowsLeichhardt River
Catchment area4,845 km2 (1,871 sq mi)
Basin countriesAustralia
Surface area1,255 ha (3,100 acres)
Average depth8.9 m (29 ft)
Max. depth25.2 m (83 ft)
Water volume107,500 ML (3,800×10^6 cu ft)[1]
Surface elevation223.54 m (733.4 ft)
References[1]

The dam is unique in Queensland and is a concrete multiple arch and buttress type structure, with the spillway discharging over the tops of the arches. The spillway crest is 18.3 m (60 ft) above bed level. The arch barrels, founded on a triangular arch base, are constructed in independent arch rings and are hinged at buttress springing lines. The spillway is a precast superstructure and the dissipation slab at ground level is post tensioned to the foundation rock.

The dam has had operational volumes ranging between a low of 59.22%, recorded on 24th November 2014, and a high of 169.73%, recorded on 15th January, 2004. The high being due to record breaking rainfall upstream in the Mt. Isa area.[2]

SunWater is undertaking a dam spillway capacity upgrade program.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Sunwater Current Water Storage Information
  2. ^ "Julius Dam". Sunwater. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  3. ^ Spillway Capacity Upgrade Program Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine