Ibis Dam
| Ibis Dam | |
|---|---|
Water spilling over the dam wall, in 1912. (Source: State Library of Queensland) | |
Ibis Dam Location of the dam in Queensland | |
Interactive map of Ibis Dam | |
| Official name | Ibis Creek Dam |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Irvinebank, Far North Queensland |
| Coordinates | 17°26′02″S 145°12′59″E / 17.43389°S 145.21639°E |
| Purpose | Potable water supply |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1906 |
| Built by | John Moffat |
| Owners |
|
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Ibis Creek |
| Height | 17.5 m (57 ft) |
| Length | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Elevation at crest | 828 m (2,717 ft) AHD |
| Spillways | 1 |
| Spillway type | Central uncontrolled ogee |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 225 ML (7.9×106 cu ft) |
| Catchment area | 610 ha (1,500 acres) |
| Surface area | 4 ha (9.9 acres) |
The Ibis Dam, officially known as the Ibis Creek Dam, is a gravity dam across the Ibis Creek that serves as a water supply for the town of Irvinebank, in Far North Queensland, Australia.[1][2] Completed in 1906 by John Moffat, a mining entrepreneur,[3] its construction was supervised by Tom Brodie, a Scottish stonemason.[4]
The dam is located about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south of Irvinebank, connected by a 1.4-kilometre (0.87 mi) pipeline that runs north-west from the dam to supply two reservoirs located on a ridge above the town. Supply of water is gravity fed to each property within Irvinebank. The dam has been stabilised twice, in 1997 and most recently in 2013.[5]
Specifications
The dam wall is 17 metres (55 ft) high and 56 metres (184 ft) wide, and comprises a mix of mass concrete with rock core. The 13-metre-wide (43 ft) central uncontrolled ogee spillway at the 828-metre (2,717 ft) AHD crest, has weirs on either side to assist with flood mitigation.[5]
Structural concerns and change of ownership
In 2010, a structural investigation was initiated by the Department of Environment and Resource Management on behalf of its owner, the Queensland Government. The investigation uncovered significant structural concerns with the dam[6] after many long-held assumptions about its initial construction were found to be untrue.
After twelve months of negotiations, a proposal was submitted to Tablelands Regional Council, now the Shire of Mareeba, to take on ownership of the dam subsequent to a Queensland government-funded upgrade. The government's alternative to this option was to decommission the dam. In January 2012 Tablelands Regional Council decided to take ownership of the dam and the government began preparations for its A$4.4 million upgrade.[7] The handover was completed in July 2013, and the government provided the Shire with $700,000 to assist with the first five-years' running costs. Whilst the dam was repaired, the government assisted by paying water-carting costs.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Gleed, Simon (2005). "Revegetation Guidelines and Recommendations for Gibbs Creek, Irvinebank". Mitchell River Watershed Management Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "Irvinebank Heritage Town - Tropical North Queensland, Australia - HISTORY AND HERITAGE". Loudoun House Museum. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "Stannary Hills to Boonmoo and Stannary Hills to Irvinebank Tramway formations (entry 602355)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ O'Callaghan, Mike. "History of Irvinebank". Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Emergency Action Plan: Ibis Creek Dam" (PDF). Mareeba Shire Council. August 2025. p. 11. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Ryan, David; Richardson, Peter; Steen, William (2010). "Ibis Creek Dam Investigation and Design for Remedial Works" (Abstract). Retrieved 2 March 2026 – via ANCOLD.
- ^ "Council to takeover Ibis dam ownership". ABC News. Australia. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Council to take ownership of fixed Ibis Dam". ABC News. Australia. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2026.