Irvinebank Dam
| Irvinebank Dam | |
|---|---|
Irvinebank Dam Location of the weir in Queensland | |
Interactive map of Irvinebank Dam | |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Irvinebank Far North Queensland |
| Coordinates | 17°25′45″S 145°12′00″E / 17.4291°S 145.2001°E |
| Purpose | Industrial water supply (historical) |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | c. 1885 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Timber and concrete weir |
| Impounds |
|
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 150 ML (5.3×106 cu ft) |
The Irvinebank Dam, also known as the Loudoun Weir or the Loudoun Dam, is a heritage-listed timber and concrete weir across the Gibbs Creek and McDonald Creek, near Irvinebank, in Far North Queensland, Australia. The weir was constructed in c. 1885 when the Vulcan Mine and a tin battery were built;[1] and is approximately 34 km (21 mi) south-eest of Atherton and 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Herberton.
History
The two creeks which form the basis of the dam at Irvinebank were known as Gibbs Creek and McDonald Creek, named in honour of early colonial prospectors. The battery was erected on the Gibbs Creek frontage, and the dam was constructed just below the junction of these two creeks.
When full, the dam covered an area of approximately 4.9–5.3 hectares (12–13 acres), with depths varying from approximately 0.61–4.57 metres (2–15 ft).[1] The original capacity was 150 megalitres (5.3×106 cu ft).
The dam was upgraded with concrete in 2006, retaining the original timber in the facade. Following the discovery of a leak in 2017, work was carried out between December 2020 and August 2021 to repair the leak and replace six original logs in the facade with "like-for-like" new timber.[2][3] The upgrades were recognised in 2007 with a Queensland Heritage Council Silver Award.[4]
See also
- List of dams and reservoirs in Australia
- Ibis Dam
- Irvinebank State Treatment Works
- Loudoun House
- Vulcan Mine
References
- ^ a b "A History of Irvinebank". Atherton Tableland Netguide. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- ^ "Dam rescue mission preserves FNQ history". North Queensland Register. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ Philipps, Michael (1 September 2021). "Loudoun Weir project preserves QLD tin mining history". Australian Mining. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Wallace, Craig; Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland (27 July 2007). "UPGRADES TO LOUDOUN DAM RECOGNISED WITH HERITAGE AWARD" (Press release). Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
External links
Media related to Irvinebank Dam at Wikimedia Commons
- "Barron Water plan area" (PDF) (Map). Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers. Queensland Government. n.d. Retrieved 2 March 2026.