Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Construction of Bjelke-Petersen Dam near Cherbourg in Queensland, commenced in 1984 and finished in 1988. It created the lake that was named Lake Barambah after the original property in the region. The dam supplies water to the South Burnett region, mostly for irrigation purposes.The dam wall is 540m long and rises 34m. The wall is an earth and rock fill structure with a central clay core, which can hold back 134,900 ML of water. The dam is generally shallow. Barker Creek provides the main inflow, while Four Mile Creek, Six Mile Creek, Frickey Creek and Cattle Creek also flow into the dam.HistoryIn the 1990s management of the camping and recreational facilities was handed to Murgon Shire Council. Facilities for caravans, cabins, camping and day-trippers are extensive. Under normal conditions there are no boating restrictions, except near the dam wall.In 2006, drought conditions had reduced dam levels to 5% of total capacity. With such low levels, visitors numbers had dropped significantly and local councils were concerned about maintaining drinking water for local towns.SunWater, the managing organisation of the dam, is undertaking a dam spillway capacity upgrade program to ensure the highest level of safety for their dams is maintained. The spillway upgrade commenced in 2007.FishingThe dam is stocked with bass, golden perch, silver perch and southern saratoga. Additionally eel-tailed catfish, spangled perch and bony bream are present naturally. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam. The Bjelke-Petersen Dam Fishing Classic is held every October.