Lake Awoonga
Encyclopedia
Lake Awoonga was formed on the Boyne River by the dam located 30 km (18.6 mi) from Gladstone
, in Central Queensland
, Australia
. It is approximately 30 minutes drive from Gladstone, via Benaraby
.
Lake Awoonga is the main water supply for the Gladstone region. Its recreation areas and recreational fishery are provided free to locals and tourists by the Gladstone Area Water Board.
south west of Gladstone, the Awoonga Dam is a rockfill structure with a concrete upstream face slab. The embankment was formed from rock excavated from a quarry on the poo side of the dam wall. The embankment is over 650 metres in length and 54.4 metres in height, with a volume of approximately 2 million cubic metres of rock. The spillway’s height is 40 metres AHD. This design of the current dam allows for further raising, if necessary, through the addition of gates to the top of the spillway. The maximum capacity of the present dam is 777,000 megalitres.
When full the lake is 40 m (111 feet) above sea level. Approximately 200,000 fish are released each year including barramundi and some mangrove jack
. By early 2006 a total of over 2.9 million fish had been released into Lake Awoonga including 2.4 million barramundi
i, 470,000 sea mullet and 15,000 mangrove jack. These fish were bred at Gladstone Area Water Board's Fish Hatchery facility. The largest Barramundi
caught, as at November 2008, weighed in at a 36.5 kg (80.5 lbs). Lake Awoonga is one of the only dams in Australia to have been stocked with Mangrove Jack.
Lake Awoonga is home to an array of small animals, several of which are of conservation significance including the Grey-headed Flying Fox
and the Yellow-bellied Glider
. Aquatic vegetation maintains an array of small animals that support the fish, eels, turtles, platypus and birds. Other species of birds, reptiles, and native fauna including bandicoot
s, rufous bettongs, kangaroo
s, wallabies
, Greater Glider
s, and brushtail possums
can be found around the lake.
The lake hosts more than 225 species of birds. Species include the Southern Squatter Pigeon
which is listed as vulnerable and a further twenty-seven bird species listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists..
The Gladstone Area Water Board has a fish breeding program in place and breeds Barramundi and Mangrove Jack
for stocking into Lake Awoonga as well as some of the surrounding waterways. Approximately 200,000 fish are released into Lake Awoonga each year (200,000 Barramundi and small numbers of Mangrove Jack). The fish are bred at a purpose-built fish hatchery, operated jointly by the Gladstone Area Water Board and the Gladstone Ports Corporation.
The hatchery is one of the largest breeders of barramundi fingerlings in Queensland and their mangrove jack breeding program has resulted in Lake Awoonga holding the largest stocks in Australia with more than 50,000 released. Other fish species include Agassiz's Glass Perch, Banded Grunter, Barramundi, Bony Bream, Eastern Rainbowfish
, Eeltail catfish
, Fly-specked Hardyhead, Forktail Catfish, Gudgeon
, Long-finned Eel, Longtom
, Mouth Almighty, Sea Mullet, Snub-nose Garfish, Spangled Perch. Also present in low numbers are Hyrtl’s Tandan, Mangrove Jack, Saratoga
, Silver Perch
, Sleepy Cod
, Sooty Grunter
, and Yellowbelly
) Since 1996, over 2.5 million barramundi fingerlings and 470,000 mullet fingerlings have been released into the Lake. Barramundi in the 10–25 kg range are regularly caught from the lake.
and sedge
s found in the shallow water areas. Aquatic plants have an important function in that they provide food and cover for animals, stabilise the river bottom against erosion and recycle nutrients.
Several plants of conservation significance exist in the region Awoonga including Persoonia Amaliae
and Eucalyptus melanoleuca which are listed as rare, while Cycas Megacarpa
and Grevillea venusta
are noted as vulnerable. Banksia integrifolia
and Xanthorrhoea latifolia
are common protected species that can also be found in the area.
There are a number of declared alien plants and environmental weeds proliferating throughout the river system and the catchment including parthenium
, salvinia
, cat’s claw vine
, lantana
, oleander
and rubbervine. A pest management plan has been developed to supplement the annual weed control programme.
The Gladstone Area Water Board has carried out vegetation re-establishment programs in order to replace remnant endangered regional ecosystems impacted by the lake.
The waters of Lake Awoonga are controlled by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Queensland Water Police and all users of the lake are required to adhere to the posted speed limits.
The lake is a popular fishing spot, especially for barramundi
. The Barramundi closed season does not apply to Lake Awoonga, although some limits do apply. Camping is permitted at two places on Lake Awoonga, the Caravan Park and the Boynedale Bush Camp. The main recreation area is provided free to the public and includes picnic shelters, barbecues, walking paths.
The Boynedale Bush camp is a basic camping facility around the southern side of Lake Awoonga, ten minutes from the townships of Many Peaks and Ubobo. Access is via a dirt road from the Gladstone to Monto Road which may become boggy in wet weather. There is no potable water at this site.
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
, in Central Queensland
Central Queensland
Central Queensland is an ambiguous geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast and the area extends west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is approximately 30 minutes drive from Gladstone, via Benaraby
Benaraby, Queensland
Benaraby is a town located 20 kilometeres south of Gladstone in Central Queensland, Australia. It is located on the Boyne River and is the access point to Lake Awoonga. The population of Benaraby at the 2006 census was 594...
.
Lake Awoonga is the main water supply for the Gladstone region. Its recreation areas and recreational fishery are provided free to locals and tourists by the Gladstone Area Water Board.
Specifications
Built across the Boyne RiverBoyne River (Queensland)
Boyne River is a river in Queensland, Australia. It flows between the twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. The river was named by John Oxley as it reminded him of the River Boyne in Ireland. A bridge was built to cross the river joining the two towns in 1980...
south west of Gladstone, the Awoonga Dam is a rockfill structure with a concrete upstream face slab. The embankment was formed from rock excavated from a quarry on the poo side of the dam wall. The embankment is over 650 metres in length and 54.4 metres in height, with a volume of approximately 2 million cubic metres of rock. The spillway’s height is 40 metres AHD. This design of the current dam allows for further raising, if necessary, through the addition of gates to the top of the spillway. The maximum capacity of the present dam is 777,000 megalitres.
When full the lake is 40 m (111 feet) above sea level. Approximately 200,000 fish are released each year including barramundi and some mangrove jack
Mangrove red snapper
Commonly called Mangrove Jack within Australia, the Mangrove red snapper is an explosive and powerful sport fish that is renowned for its superb eating and fighting qualities....
. By early 2006 a total of over 2.9 million fish had been released into Lake Awoonga including 2.4 million barramundi
Barramundi
The Barramundi , also known as Asian Seabass, is a species of catadromous fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. The native species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Persian Gulf, through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. Known in Thai...
i, 470,000 sea mullet and 15,000 mangrove jack. These fish were bred at Gladstone Area Water Board's Fish Hatchery facility. The largest Barramundi
Barramundi
The Barramundi , also known as Asian Seabass, is a species of catadromous fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. The native species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Persian Gulf, through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. Known in Thai...
caught, as at November 2008, weighed in at a 36.5 kg (80.5 lbs). Lake Awoonga is one of the only dams in Australia to have been stocked with Mangrove Jack.
Fauna
Grey-headed Flying Fox
The Grey-headed Flying-Fox, Pteropus poliocephalus, is a megabat native to Australia.Members of the genus Pteropus include the largest bats in the world. The Pteropus genus has currently about 57 recognised species....
and the Yellow-bellied Glider
Yellow-bellied Glider
The Yellow-bellied Glider is an arboreal and nocturnal gliding possum that lives in a narrow range of native eucalypt forests down eastern Australia, reaching from northern Queensland to Victoria.-Habitat:...
. Aquatic vegetation maintains an array of small animals that support the fish, eels, turtles, platypus and birds. Other species of birds, reptiles, and native fauna including bandicoot
Bandicoot
Bandicoots are a group of about 20 species of small to medium-sized, terrestrial marsupial omnivores in the order Peramelemorphia.- Etymology :...
s, rufous bettongs, kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
s, wallabies
Wallaby
A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod . It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name.-Overview:...
, Greater Glider
Greater Glider
The Greater Glider is a small gliding marsupial found in Australia. It is not closely related to the Petaurus group of gliding marsupials but instead to the Lemur-like Ringtail Possum , with which it shares the subfamily Hemibelideinae.The Greater Glider is nocturnal and is a solitary herbivore...
s, and brushtail possums
Common Brushtail Possum
The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...
can be found around the lake.
The lake hosts more than 225 species of birds. Species include the Southern Squatter Pigeon
Squatter Pigeon
The Squatter Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family.It is endemic to Australia.According to the Dept of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the nominate subspecies, Southern Squatter Pigeon is listed as vulnerable.-References:* BirdLife International 2004....
which is listed as vulnerable and a further twenty-seven bird species listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists..
The Gladstone Area Water Board has a fish breeding program in place and breeds Barramundi and Mangrove Jack
Mangrove red snapper
Commonly called Mangrove Jack within Australia, the Mangrove red snapper is an explosive and powerful sport fish that is renowned for its superb eating and fighting qualities....
for stocking into Lake Awoonga as well as some of the surrounding waterways. Approximately 200,000 fish are released into Lake Awoonga each year (200,000 Barramundi and small numbers of Mangrove Jack). The fish are bred at a purpose-built fish hatchery, operated jointly by the Gladstone Area Water Board and the Gladstone Ports Corporation.
The hatchery is one of the largest breeders of barramundi fingerlings in Queensland and their mangrove jack breeding program has resulted in Lake Awoonga holding the largest stocks in Australia with more than 50,000 released. Other fish species include Agassiz's Glass Perch, Banded Grunter, Barramundi, Bony Bream, Eastern Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
The rainbowfish are a family of small, colourful, freshwater fish that are found in northern and eastern Australia and New Guinea and in the Southeast Asian islands....
, Eeltail catfish
Eeltail catfish
The eeltail catfish are a family of catfish whose tails are elongated in an eel-like fashion. These catfishes are native to the Indian Ocean and western Pacific from Japan to Australia and Fiji. The family includes about 35 species in 10 genera. About half of the species are freshwater, occurring...
, Fly-specked Hardyhead, Forktail Catfish, Gudgeon
Gudgeon
A gudgeon is a circular fitting, often made of metal, which is affixed to a surface. It allows for the pivoting of another fixture. It is generally used with a pintle, which is a pin which pivots in the hole in the gudgeon. As such, a gudgeon is a simple bearing.-Winged gudgeons:A winged gudgeon...
, Long-finned Eel, Longtom
Alligator gar
The Alligator Gar , Atractosteus spatula, is a primitive ray-finned fish. Unlike other Gars, the mature Alligator Gar possesses a dual row of large teeth in the upper jaw. Its name derives from the alligator-like appearance of these teeth along with the fish's elongated snout...
, Mouth Almighty, Sea Mullet, Snub-nose Garfish, Spangled Perch. Also present in low numbers are Hyrtl’s Tandan, Mangrove Jack, Saratoga
Saratoga (fish)
The saratoga, Scleropages leichardti, also known as the spotted bonytongue, spotted saratoga, or southern saratoga, is a freshwater bony fish native to Australia. It belongs to the subfamily Osteoglossinae, or arowanas, a primitive group of teleosts. Like all arowanas, it is a carnivorous...
, Silver Perch
Silver Perch
Silver perch is a medium sized freshwater fish endemic to the Murray-Darling river system in south-eastern Australia. The scientific name comes from an aboriginal name for the species recorded by Major Mitchell on his 1832 expedition. It is not a perch, being a grunter in the family Terapontidae...
, Sleepy Cod
Sleepy cod
The sleepy cod, Oxyeleotris lineolatus, is a medium-sized freshwater fish, native to tropical regions of northern Australia.Sleepy cod generally weigh up to 3 kg. They are very common in waterways across northern Australia. They are plain brown coloured fishes. They are sedentary in nature...
, Sooty Grunter
Terapontidae
Grunters or tigerperches are fishes in the family Terapontidae . They are found in shallow coastal waters in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, where they live in saltwater, brackish and freshwater habitats...
, and Yellowbelly
Golden perch
The golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, is an Australian native freshwater fish, primarily of the Murray-Darling river system. It is not a true perch of the genus Perca....
) Since 1996, over 2.5 million barramundi fingerlings and 470,000 mullet fingerlings have been released into the Lake. Barramundi in the 10–25 kg range are regularly caught from the lake.
Flora
More than 415 plant varieties play a vital role in the health of the Lake Awoonga region. Ranging from vine thickets and rainforests to tall woodlands and grassy woodlands, they include over 45 confirmed species of aquatic plants such as ribbon weed, hornwortHornwort
Hornworts are a group of bryophytes, or non-vascular plants, comprising the division Anthocerotophyta. The common name refers to the elongated horn-like structure, which is the sporophyte. The flattened, green plant body of a hornwort is the gametophyte plant.Hornworts may be found worldwide,...
and sedge
Sedge
- Plants :* Acorus calamus, sweet flag, a plant in the Acoraceae family* Any of the plants in the family Cyperaceae- Animals :* A collective noun for several species of birds, including bitterns, cranes and herons* Sedge-fly, caddisfly- Other uses :...
s found in the shallow water areas. Aquatic plants have an important function in that they provide food and cover for animals, stabilise the river bottom against erosion and recycle nutrients.
Several plants of conservation significance exist in the region Awoonga including Persoonia Amaliae
Persoonia
Persoonia is a genus of 98 species of shrubs and small trees in the tribe Persoonioideae in the large and diverse plant family Proteaceae. In the eastern states of Australia, they are commonly known as Geebungs, while in Western Australia and South Australia they go by the common name Snottygobbles...
and Eucalyptus melanoleuca which are listed as rare, while Cycas Megacarpa
Cycas
Cycas is the type genus and the only genus currently recognised in the cycad family Cycadaceae. About 95 species are currently accepted. The best-known species is Cycas revoluta, widely cultivated under the name "Sago Palm" or "King Sago Palm" due to its palm-like appearance although it is not a...
and Grevillea venusta
Grevillea venusta
Grevillea venusta, commonly known as the Byfield Spider Flower, is a woody shrub of the Proteaceae family native to a small region of central Queensland in eastern Australia...
are noted as vulnerable. Banksia integrifolia
Banksia integrifolia
Banksia integrifolia, commonly known as Coast Banksia, is a species of tree that grows along the east coast of Australia. One of the most widely distributed Banksia species, it occurs between Victoria and Central Queensland in a broad range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountains...
and Xanthorrhoea latifolia
Xanthorrhoea
Xanthorrhoea is a genus of flowering plants native to Australia and a member of family Xanthorrhoeaceae, being the only member of subfamily Xanthorrhoeoideae. The Xanthorrhoeaceae are monocots, part of order Asparagales. There are 28 species and five subspecies of Xanthorrhoea.-Description:All are...
are common protected species that can also be found in the area.
There are a number of declared alien plants and environmental weeds proliferating throughout the river system and the catchment including parthenium
Parthenium
Parthenium is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. The name is derived from either the Greek word παρθένος , meaning "virgin," or παρθένιον , an ancient name for a plant. Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include Guayule and P...
, salvinia
Salvinia
Salvinia, a genus in the family Salviniaceae, is a floating fern named in honor of Antonio Maria Salvini, a 17th Century Italian scientist. The genus was published by Séguier, in Pl. Veron. 3: 52. 1754. About ten species exist....
, cat’s claw vine
Uncaria tomentosa
Uncaria tomentosa is a woody vine found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America, which derives its name from its claw-shaped thorns...
, lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
, oleander
Oleander
Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as oleander, from its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea, but has many other...
and rubbervine. A pest management plan has been developed to supplement the annual weed control programme.
The Gladstone Area Water Board has carried out vegetation re-establishment programs in order to replace remnant endangered regional ecosystems impacted by the lake.
Recreation facilities
Swimming is permitted from the shore and there is a 24 hour boat ramp that provides access for sailing, fishing, and skiing etc. Various watercraft, including house boats can be hired and organised. Fishing cruises are also available.The waters of Lake Awoonga are controlled by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Queensland Water Police and all users of the lake are required to adhere to the posted speed limits.
The lake is a popular fishing spot, especially for barramundi
Barramundi
The Barramundi , also known as Asian Seabass, is a species of catadromous fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. The native species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Persian Gulf, through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. Known in Thai...
. The Barramundi closed season does not apply to Lake Awoonga, although some limits do apply. Camping is permitted at two places on Lake Awoonga, the Caravan Park and the Boynedale Bush Camp. The main recreation area is provided free to the public and includes picnic shelters, barbecues, walking paths.
The Boynedale Bush camp is a basic camping facility around the southern side of Lake Awoonga, ten minutes from the townships of Many Peaks and Ubobo. Access is via a dirt road from the Gladstone to Monto Road which may become boggy in wet weather. There is no potable water at this site.
See also
- The Boyne Valley
- Calliope, QueenslandCalliope, QueenslandCalliope is a town located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is located near the junction of the Bruce Highway and the Dawson Highway, 20 kilometres SSW of the port city of Gladstone...
- Kroombit Tops National ParkKroombit Tops National ParkKroombit Tops is a national park in Central Queensland, Australia. Located between Monto and Calliope in The Boyne Valley, it is 399 km northwest of Brisbane. Cania Gorge National Park is located approximately 25 km to the south....
- Ubobo, QueenslandUbobo, QueenslandUbobo is located south of Gladstone and Calliope along Highway 69 in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Builyan, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council....
- Nagoorin, QueenslandNagoorin, QueenslandNagoorin is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Ubobo, Builyan, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council.-External links:***...
- Builyan, QueenslandBuilyan, QueenslandBuilyan is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Ubobo, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council area.-See also:*Kroombit Tops National Park*Monto...
- Many Peaks, QueenslandMany Peaks, QueenslandMany Peaks is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Builyan and Ubobo. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council.-See also:*Kroombit Tops National Park*Monto*Gladstone...