Perry River Dam

Perry River Dam
Perry River Dam
Location of the dam in Queensland
Interactive map of Perry River Dam
CountryAustralia
LocationBundaberg, Wide Bay–Burnett, Queensland
Coordinates25°14′12″S 151°47′57″E / 25.2367°S 151.7991°E / -25.2367; 151.7991
PurposeIndustrial water supply
StatusOperational
Opening date1996
OwnerEvolution Mining
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsPerry River
Height (foundation)12 m (39 ft)
Length104 m (341 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity1,050 ML (850 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area98 km2 (38 sq mi)
Normal elevation98 m (322 ft) AHD

The Perry River Dam is an embankment dam across the Perry River, located 68 kilometres (42 mi) south west of Bundaberg, in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia.

Overview

The relatively-small roller-compacted concrete embankment dam is 12 metres (39 ft) high and 104 metres (341 ft) long. The resultant reservoir has capacity of 1,050 megalitres (37×10^6 cu ft), drawing from a catchment area of 98 square kilometres (38 sq mi).[1]

The dam was constructed in 1996 to provide a water supply to Mt Rawdon Gold Mine,[2] located 5 km (3.1 mi) south-west of the dam. The Mt Rawdon project was acquired from Resolute and Samson Exploration by Equigold NL in 1998 and commenced production in February 2001.[3][4] Since November 2011 the mine has been owned and operated by Evolution Mining.[5] The 2018 Melbourne Cup trophy was made with gold from the Mt Rawdon mine.[6]

The Mt Rawdon mine is expected to complete operations in 2027, investigations are underway to use the mine pit as part of a pumped hydroelectric development, likely involving water diverted from the Perry River Dam.[7][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Perry River Dam EAP" (PDF). Queensland Government.
  2. ^ "Mt Rawdon – Evolution Mining". evolutionmining.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Bundaberg 4WD Club treks to Mt Rawdon gold mine". Bundaberg Now delivers free good news. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  4. ^ Thomaz, Carla (30 June 2006). "Mt Rawdon mine, Australia". Mining Weekly. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Mt Rawdon – Evolution Mining". evolutionmining.com.au. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Bundaberg 4WD Club treks to Mt Rawdon gold mine". Bundaberg Now delivers free good news. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Mt Rawdon Pumped Hydro Energy Storage". www.stantec.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  8. ^ Hall, Max (9 April 2025). "Australian state backs 20 GWh pumped hydro project". Energy Storage.