| Lake Manchester Dam | |
|---|---|
| Location | 15km North of Ipswich, Queensland |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Cabbage Tree Creek |
| Primary outflows | Cabbage Tree Creek |
| Catchment area | 74 km2 (29 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 188 m [1] |
| Surface area | 318 hectares |
| Water volume | 26,000 ML |
Lake Manchester is built on Cabbage Tree Creek in the suburb of the same name, not far above its confluence with the Brisbane River in South East Queensland, Australia. The dam wall is a concrete gravity-section type. Its original purpose was to supplement supplies when the flow of the Brisbane River was low. Today it is one of a number of dams connected to the South East Queensland Water Grid.
The dam is owned by Seqwater. Recreational activities which are permitted around the dam include barbecuing, camping, horse riding, mountain biking, picnicking and bushwalking.[1]
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Enoggera Dam, Gold Creek Dam and the Mount Crosby Weir were built to supply water to Brisbane but could not meet growing demand. A site 2.8 km upstream from the creek's confluence with the Brisbane River was selected as this was the next catchment to the west in the D'Aguilar Range. The designer was Allan Hagan, an American engineer.[2]
Construction of the Lake Manchester Dam commenced in 1912 and was competed in 1916.[3][4] It was originally called Cabbage Tree Creek Dam.[2] It was renamed in December 1916 when the new dam was names after Mr E.J. Manchester, president of the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.[2] In 1924 the elevation of the bywash was raised which added to the dams capacity.[2]
In October 2005 the dam was reactivated as drought reduced the region's water supply to a critical point.[3] The same year a report claimed that due to leaks and cracks the structure could break in a severe rain storm event.[4]
In 2007 the dam's capacity was again raised and connection to the regional water grid was re-established. The Lake Manchester Dam Flood Security Upgrade is a Brisbane City Council project to ensure the dam meets current Australian guidelines for large dams.[3] These guidelines have been developed by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD), an association that sets national standards in relation to dams and their environs. The project will involve strengthening and raising the dam wall for flood security purposes. Work began in early 2007.[3]