Atkinson
About Atkinson
Atkinson Dam was completed in 1970 and is part of the Lower Lockyer irrigation system. It is an un-gated dam, meaning that when it reaches 100 per cent capacity, water flows over the spillway and safely out of the dam.
Lake Atkinson supplies water for irrigation as part of the Lower Lockyer Water Supply Scheme and is a popular recreation destination for water-based and land-based activities.
If you would like to be notified when Atkinson Dam begins to spill, sign up to our free dam release notification service or download our public safety mobile app.
Current capacity
- KEY INFORMATION
- WATER SOURCE
- LIVING NEAR DAMS
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Key information
NameAtkinson
WatercourseBuaraba Creek / Atkinson's Lagoon
LocationAt the outlet of Atkinson's Lagoon between Buaraba Creek and Lockyer Creek
Catchment area32.72km²
Length of dam wall2082.00m
Year completed1970
Type of constructionZoned earthfill embankment
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Atkinson Dam is about two kilometres long. The lake has a surface area of 555 hectares and holds up to 30,401 megalitres of water at full supply.
Water from Lake Atkinson is primarily used for irrigation purposes. It is part of the Lower Lockyer Valley Water Supply Scheme.
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All dams help mitigate flooding to some extent. The peak outflow from a gated or un-gated dam during a flood event is less than the peak outflow that would have occurred had the dam not been built, because some water is held in the dam while it is spilling. This means that water flow slows down as floods pass through the dam.
It’s important neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. Each of our dams have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place to enable us to respond quickly to potential incidents in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, relevant emergency services and local councils. For Atkinson Dam, this is Somerset Regional Council.