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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 22 August 2005 |
Somerset Dam is a dam on the Stanley River (which feeds into the Brisbane River at Wivenhoe Dam), and the town is named after it. The dam was built between 1933 and 1958, and was named after local identity Henry Plantagenet Somerset, a local grazier, and M.L.A. for Stanley in the Queensland Parliament from 1904 - 1920. The town was originally built to house the construction workers working on the dam, but remains today as a small township in the shire.
Being situated at the dam site, Somerset Dam supports a wealth of tourist activities associated with such a facility. The town boasts excellent water-skiing, magnificent scenery, BBQ and picnic facilities and fishing.
It is also just a short hour and half drive from Maleny along the D'Agular Highway, through Kilcoy one comes to the northern end of Somerset Dam.
Somerset Dam was constructed to service Brisbane and surrounding areas not only with a regular supply of water but also as a means of flood mitigation for the lower lying areas along the banks of the Brisbane River.
Somerset Dam, also known as Lake Somerset enjoys a regional reputation as being the premier freshwater motorised water sports venue, and one of the best freshwater fishing destinations in south east Queensland. Fuel-powered boats are permitted on Lake Somerset.
| Timetable of Constructions
1930 Preliminary investigations into the construction of a dam on the Stanley River.
1934 Government approval given to proceed with construction of the dam. Stanley River Works Board was constituted.
1935 Construction of the township and dam began.
1942 Work suspended due to war.
1948 Work resumed on the construction of the dam.
1953 Last structural concrete was placed.
1959 Dam works completed.
1985 Ownership and control of the Dam passed to Brisbane & Area Water Board (later South East Queensland Water Board).
2000 Ownership and control of the Dam passed to SEQWater Corporation.
A 4000 kva Hydro Electric Station combined with the water storage is part of this project.
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The owning body of Lake Somerset has been until recently the South East Qld Water Board (SEQWB). A recent incorportisation of this body has at this stage meant no changes to recreational access or activities here, noting that a review is underway.
A
spokesman for the new South East Qld Water Corporation (SEQWC) said,
"It is all normal sailing just as before and there are no changes
planned for the immediate future". With the success of the fish
stocking program at Lake Somerset by the local stocking group (SWFSA),
DPI Fisheries and SEQWC the future looks bright for freshwater fishing
in SE Qld. In the near future, mangrove jack, tarpon, trevally and
jungle perch are real possibilities to be stocked into not only Lake
Somerset, but also many other of eastern Qld's impoundments.
The
area also has many enjoyable picnic areas all supplied with comfortable
facilities, including toilets and bar-b-que areas. Overnight camping
areas nestled "among the gum trees" make a weekend camping trip a great
Aussie holiday.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 22 August 2005 )
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