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Key Facts
Name:
Somerset Dam / Lake Somerset
Water Course:
Stanley River near Kilcoy
Location:
Stanley River near Kilcoy
Catchment Area:
1,340km2
Lake Surface Area:
4,210ha
Full Supply Capacity:
379,849 ML
Current Capacity:
380,275 ML (100.0% full) at 23/05/2013 07:00AM
Flood Mitigation:
524,000ML
Year Complete:
1959
Full Supply Waterline:
99m AHD (above sea level)
Spillway Level:
Outlet System:
Eight radial gates
Type of Construction:
Mass concrete gravity dam
Length of Dam Wall:
305m
About Somerset Dam
Somerset Dam was constructed by the Bureau of Industry Stanley River Works Board. Construction commenced in 1935 but had to be suspended due to World War II. Work resumed in 1948 and the dam was completed in 1959.
Water from Somerset Dam is released into Wivenhoe Dam, which in turn supplements the natural flow of the Brisbane River and maintains an adequate supply of water to the Mt Crosby pumping station located 132 kilometres downstream.
Construction works at the Spit recreation area during May and June 2013 (Wednesday, 1 May 2013)
During May and June 2013, construction works will be carried out at the Spit recreation area at Lake Somerset. The main entry road will be widened and works will be done on the carpark.
The Spit recreation area (including the boat ramp) will remain accessible to the public during normal opening hours. Signage and appropriate barriers will be used on site to manage public safety while the works are being undertaken.
Visitors should exercise caution when entering the park, and must comply with all safety signage.
Recreation
The following recreational activities are permitted at Lake Somerset:
- barbequing
- boating (powered and non-powered) with permit
- electric model boating (outside designated swimming areas)
- camping (available at Somerset Park - see the brochure for more details)
- canoeing
- fishing
- jet skiing
- kayaking
- picnicking
- sailing
- swimming (designated areas)
- walking
Please note that shoreline fishing and boating are permitted at the appropriate sections of the designated recreation areas. Other areas of the shoreline may be private land or may be subject to re-vegetation projects, and access to that land is not permitted for shoreline fishing nor for launching, retrieving or beaching vessels.
Download the Somerset Dam recreation brochure for a location map, activity guide and safety information.
Interesting facts about Somerset:
- The length of the dam is 305 metres and the maximum thickness at the base of the wall is approximately 41 metres.
- The Somerset Dam wall is a mass concrete gravity type, using a volume of 203,000 cubic metres of concrete, which resists the thrusts of water by its weight alone.
- The top of the 8 spillway gates (8x 17.97m x 7.01m) is 108 metres above sea level, 47 metres above the original stream bed and 53 metres above the base foundation of the wall.
- The Somerset Dam hydroelectric power station was commissioned in 1953 and completed in 1959. It is a small plant of 4000 KVA capacity.
Somerset water release into Lake Wivenhoe (March 2009)