Logue Brook Dam

Statement of Significance

• The place has historic value for its association with the state government policy and commitment to providing irrigation to farming in the region.
• The place has social value for the people who use the place for recreation.

Physical Description

Opened in 1963 to supply water to the SW irrigation scheme, the vast reservoir is set in a natural landscape of dense forest. The dam is still used for irrigation purposes but is also used extensively for recreational purposes with boat ramps for water skiing. The dam wall is an earth fill structure, 50m high, sand filters and a side channel spillway with a concrete lined chute. A saddle dam, consisting of an earth fill embankment 700m long and 9m high contains the water storage on the north side of the reservoir. An outlet pipe connects the concrete intake tower through the embankment to the valve house downstream from where the water is channeled off to northern and southern irrigation areas.

History

Demand for additional water in the Harvey Irrigation District in the 1950s lead to the construction of Logue Brook Dam. Work commenced in the early 1960s and water storage began in May 1963. It was officially opened on 4 October 1963 at a cost of $760,000 with the capacity to hold 5,358 million gallons. The Harvey Irrigation supply was rationed between 1958 and 1963 but with the dam’s input in 1963/64 no further rationing was necessary.
Logue Brook Dam is now a popular recreational facility in addition to its irrigation function. The water area is used for water skiing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, marroning in season and fishing. Land activities include picnicking, bushwalking, sightseeing, bird watching, trail bike and horse riding. A caravan park and camping grounds along with a youth camp provide accommodation.

In November 2007 the State Labor Government announced that Logue Brook Dam would be used only for irrigation and drinking water necessitating the closure of the dam for recreational use. The public was opposed to the change and the Liberal/National Coalition Government reversed the decision in 2008.

Integrity/Authenticity

High/ High

Condition

Sound

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.