Take care when swimming, skiing and boating on Seqwater dams. Seqwater’s dams and lakes are part of natural systems and have naturally occurring characteristics that you need to be mindful of when swimming, skiing or boating.
These characteristics change regularly and include changing bacteria levels and water debris above and below water.
This is a very normal and an expected occurrence in any natural system, so if you choose to undertake any recreational activities on the dams and lakes you need to take care at all times for your safety and that of your family.
You should always check the Seqwater website to view the Public Notices or Recreational Information before you visit any of our recreational areas.
Current public and safety notices
LAKE CLOSURES
OTHER NOTICES
Reynolds Creek at Moogerah Dam closed to swimming (Friday, 3 February)
Seqwater will update this notice as and when conditions change.
Little Nerang Dam recreation area and access remain temporarily closed (Friday, 3 February)
The Little Nerang Dam recreation area and access is closed until further notice due to weather conditions.
Lake Moogerah remains temporarily closed to water-skiing and swimming (Friday, 3 February)
As a precautionary measure and in the interest of public safety, Lake Moogerah remains temporarily closed to primary contact recreation (swimming and waterskiing) as of Friday, 3 February due to the presence of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).
Signage has been erected on site advising of the temporary closure of the lake to primary contact recreation.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are naturally occurring organisms and are amongst the earliest known life forms on this planet. Blue-green algae make beneficial contributions to the environment through such avenues as food, fertilisers, waste processors and solar energy conversion. Despite their beneficial functions in the environment, cyanobacteria can also be a source of considerable nuisance. Blooms of cyanobacteria in lakes can pose significant risks to human health and lifestyle through the production of toxins and odorous compounds.
Seqwater will be performing further water quality testing at Lake Moogerah, and the lake will be reopened to primary contact recreation as soon as possible.
Baroon Pocket Dam to re-open from 6.00 am Friday 3 February (Thursday, 2 February)
Baroon Pocket Dam will be re-opened to water-based recreation activities from 6.00 am on Friday, 3 February.
The lake was closed due to high water levels caused by recent heavy rainfall. The water level has fallen to a level where it is considered safe to resume water-based recreation activities at the lake.
Seqwater appreciates the cooperation of recreation users during the temporary closure.
Lake Moogerah – Lower Recreation Area re-opened (Thursday, 2 February)
The Lower Recreation Area, below Haigh Park, at Moogerah Dam has been re-opened to the public.
Seqwater thanks our visitors for their understanding and cooperation during the temporary closure of this recreation area.
Ewen Maddock Dam – Maddock Park boardwalk temporarily closure – 6 to 9 February (Thursday, 2 February)
The boardwalk at Maddock Park, Ewen Maddock Dam, will be temporarily closed for maintenance purposes from Monday 6 February to Thursday 9 February 2012 (inclusive).
Signage will be erected on site during this temporary closure period. Seqwater appreciates the cooperation of all visitors during this temporary closure.
The boardwalk will be re-opened when the works are completed.
Ewen Maddock Dam re-opened to water-based recreation activities (Tuesday, 31 January)
Ewen Maddock Dam will be re-opened to authorised water-based recreation activities (non-powered craft, swimming) on Tuesday 31 January 2012.
Due to the very high water level in the lake, Ewen Maddock Dam was temporarily closed on Wednesday 25 January. The water level has fallen to a level where it is considered safe to resume water-based recreation activities at the lake.
Seqwater appreciates the cooperation of recreation users during the temporary closure.
Lake Borumba access reopened (Monday, 30 January)
The access road leading to Lake Borumba, Yabba Creek Road, has been reopened by Gympie Regional Council.
Please check the Gympie Regional Council website and the Queensland Transport and Main Roads website for more information about road closures in this area.
Lake Somerset and The Spit reopened to the public (Monday, 30 January)
As water levels in Lake Somerset are falling due to releases, the lake has now been reopened to all water-based recreatin activities.
The Spit recreation area has also been reopened but Seqwater are urging caution due to wet conditions.
Eastern Trailhead at Mt Joyce Escape Recreation Park (Wyaralong Dam) re-opened (Friday, 27 January)
The Eastern Trailhead recreation area at Wyaralong Dam has been re-opened, after being temporarily closed on Wednesday 25 January. Camping facilities and access to the lake for boating/paddle-craft is available at the Eastern Trailhead.
All recreation trails, including the mountain bike trails and multi-purpose trails, at Mt Joyce remain temporarily closed due to the heavy recent rainfall. These trails will be re-opened once conditions have improved sufficiently to do so.
The Western Trailhead (Lilybrook Station) and Mt Joyce Base Camp also remain temporarily closed.
Seqwater will re-assess these temporary closures as conditions change, and will provide updated information as soon as possible. Seqwater is aware that the temporary closures may cause some inconvenience to people planning on visiting the site in the near future, however we appreciate the co-operation and understanding of visitors to the site.
Lake Maroon re-opens to water-based recreation activities (Wednesday 25 January)
Lake Maroon will be re-opened to authorised water-based recreation activities from 6am Thursday 26 January.
Due to the presence of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), Lake Maroon was temporarily closed on Wednesday 11 January as a precautionary measure in the interests of public safety.
Water quality monitoring indicates that the lake can be re-opened to water-based recreation activities.
Lake Borumba reopened to waterskiing (Wednesday, 25 January)
Lake Borumba has been reopened to primary contact recreation (waterskiing) as of Tuesday 24 January.
Warmer weather marks start of snake season – be alert!
With the warmer months upon us, snakes are now out and about. It is important for visitors to Seqwater recreation areas to be vigilant of nature's hazards – remember that you are in their home!
You should be observant and aware that venomous snake species can be encountered.
It is a good idea to learn what to do in the case of a snake bite and how to effectively apply first-aid.
Great Walk at Lake Baroon closed until further notice (Tuesday, 17 January)
Seqwater has been informed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife that the Great Walk trail has been temporarily closed as a result of the recent heavy rainfall.
This closure includes the trail access from the Northern Recreation Area at Lake Baroon.
Road maintenance works at Hinze Dam – parking and traffic management (Friday, 13 January)
During the month of January, minor road maintenance works will be undertaken for short periods in the area of the recreation facilities at Hinze Dam.
Traffic control will be in place with the possibility of a temporary closure of some car parks. These works are minor and not expected to impact parking or public access to facilities.
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Pest pine removal at Kurwongbah & Wappa dams (Thursday, 5 January)
Two separate areas of exotic pine trees will be removed near Kurwongbah and Wappa dams to help regenerate native vegetation and improve koala habitat. Seqwater contractors will commence work in mid-January to selectively harvest ‘slash pines’ (Pinus elliotii) from the two forested area. One hectare of pine trees will be harvested south of the Kurwongbah dam spillway. Another seven hectares will be harvested from southern forests of Lake Wappa.
The fast growing slash pine tree is an introduced species which dominates native bush and displaces native fauna, including koalas. Seqwater considers harvesting the feral pine species the safest and most cost effective method of control.
Sections of Seqwater land will be closed to public access while the pine clearance work is carried out.
Kurwongbah dam
Public access to the reserve from Dayboro Rd will be closed for approximately one week while the pines are cut down and removed. Information signs and barriers will be placed on access tracks to part of the forest. A fauna spotter will assist Seqwater staff to locate any koalas in the harvesting area so they can be relocated before contractors start work.
Wappa dam
Public access will be closed to some forest areas between Lake Wappa and Kiamba Road for approximately four weeks while the pines are cut down and removed. Trucks will hall the logs out along Kiamba and Cooloolabin roads. Information signs and barriers will be placed on access tracks.
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Temporary road closure for part of Lake Manchester Road, Mt Crosby from 4 January 2012 (Thursday, 22 December)
From Wednesday 4 January 2012 to Monday 30 January 2012, between the hours of 6.00am to and 6.00pm, part of Lake Manchester Road, Mt Crosby, will be closed for repair works.
The part closure will be between Highfields Place and Swensons Road, to allow for the digging of a trench and the laying of new pipes.
Local residents have been advised in advance and appropriate signage will be in place.
If you have any further questions regarding the works please contact corpcommunications@seqwater.com.au.
After nearly four years under construction, Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast has reopened to the public.
The $395 million Hinze Dam Stage Three upgrade saw the dam wall raised by 15 metres, doubling the dam’s capacity and providing increased water security and flood mitigation.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the dam and explore the new facilities which include a state-of-the-art Interpretive Centre, lakeside parks, walking, bike and horse trails, increased car parking, toilet facilities and barbeque areas for public use.
Two new boat ramps have also been constructed. The Western Boat Ramp (Nerang Murwillumbah Road) and Eastern Boat Ramp (Little Nerang / Range roads) are now open for use.
Please note, access to the Hinze Dam recreational facilities is now via Advancetown Road. There is no longer access via Gilston Road.
Temporary closure of Four Cross MTB tracks at Mt Joyce Escape Recreation Park (Monday, 28 November)
The Four Cross (4X) track at Mt Joyce Escape Recreation Park (Wyaralong Dam) is temporarily closed due to track damage sustained during recent storms.
Seqwater staff are assessing the damage to the track and decide the most effective methods to rectify the issues. The track will be temporarily closed until the damage is repaired. Appropriate signage has been placed at the start of the track.
Other MTB and multi-use tracks at Mt Joyce remain open to the public.