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The Number 7 Dam, also known as the Big Dam,[1] is a concrete gravity dam across the Dee River, located close to Mount Morgan, in the Rockhampton Region of Queensland, Australia. The impoundment is the primary source of potable water for the town of Mount Morgan.[2]

Overview

The dam, officially known as the Mount Morgan Water Supply – Raised No.7 Dam, was built by Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited upstream from the Mount Morgan mine in 1900. Due to a serious drought at the time, the dam was not filled until May 1904.

The wall was raised by 4.5 metres (15 ft) in 1999 to its current height of 16 metres (52 ft), and the wall is 463 metres (1,519 ft) long. The resultant reservoir has capacity of 2,926 megalitres (2,372 acre⋅ft) when full.[3] The reservoir reached maximum capacity for the first time on 22 November 2000 when water spilled over the dam wall.[4][5]

In 2021, the dam was depleted due to drought conditions and water was trucked to the Mount Morgan water treatment plant at considerable expense to the Rockhampton Regional Council. In November 2022, the council proposed building a potable water pipeline connecting the Gracemere and Mount Morgan water supply networks as an alternative water supply mechanism.[2]

Recreation

The surrounds of the dam are popular for recreation with playgrounds, barbeques and picnic facilities.[6]

In 2019, artificial fish habitats were introduced into the dam waters to support the release of golden perch fingerlings and other species to improve opportunities for recreational fishing.[7] Fish species in the dam include yellow belly, southern saratoga, and redclaw.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ “The Big Dam”. www.mountmorgan.org.au. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b “Mount Morgan Water Supply Security”. Rockhampton Regional Council. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  3. ^ “Register of Large Dams Australia-2015” (Excel. Requires download. Row 365). ANCOLD. January 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  4. ^ “Mount Morgan Attractions”. 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  5. ^ “Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam” (PDF). Fitzroy River Water: Rockhampton Regional Council. Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers. Queensland Government. 3 November 2025. pp. 13–14. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  6. ^ “No. 7 Dam: Parks and gardens”. Rockhampton Regional Council. n.d. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  7. ^ Furner, Mark (17 September 2019). “Rocky reefs for Rocky dam a boost for fishing”. Media statements. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  8. ^ “Mt Morgan No 7 Dam”. Fish Queensland. Retrieved 30 December 2022.

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