Lake Moondarra's Booster Pump Station (Mount Isa, Australia's Kalkadoon Country)
By the 6th of November 1958 Lake Moondarra, originally known as Leichhardt Dam, was officially supplying water to Mount Isa Residents.
A history of the Mount Isa region, like most towns in Australia's arid interior, is a story about securing reliable water for domestic and industrial development. Prior to the construction of Lake Moondarra, Mount Isa's water needs were met by a series of bores near the bed of the Leichhardt River and the old Rifle Creek Dam.
But with a burgeoning town population and ever expanding mining operations, these water supplies became inadequate for the thirsty town. Subsequently, Mount Isa Mines Limited took the unprecedented decision to construct what was at the time Australia's largest privately funded water scheme.
In late 1956 a rocky gorge on the Leichhardt River (Tharrapatha) 16kms downstream from the township was selected due to its natural bedrock attributes and proximity to town. American company Uta Construction was awarded the contract and works began without delay with the building of a bitumen road from town to the clearing of trees within the basin.
However, this ambitious project was not to progress without drama, and by December 1956 seasonal rains sent flood waters rushing through the gorge causing extensive damage to the partially completed wall. When construction did resume several months later, it was the Australian company Thiess Brothers that completed the 26.5 metre concrete-faced wall thereby concluding Operation Big Water in 1957 at a cost of 2.4 million dollars.
On the 11th of July 1962 the Mount Isa Mail announced Lake Moondarra and 'Warrina Park' as new official names selected from over 400 entries by local school children.
In 1968 Clear Water Lagoon was partition off from Lake Moondarra to address water quality issues during flood events and interestingly remains one of few examples of natural filtration reservoirs in Australia.
On average 2000 megalitres/month is filtered through Clear Water Lagoon after being pumped from Lake Moondarra. Due in part to Moondarra's high evaporation rate and the region's sustained growth and development the need to secure additional water supplies continued. In 1971 the height of Moondarra's spillway was increased and later in 1976 Lake Moondarra's sister dam Lake Julius, also on the Leichhardt River, was completed 70km downstream from Mount Isa. During times of prolonged drought, Lake Julius water can be pumped directly into Clear Water Lagoon.
Undeniably, economic growth and development are the catalysts for offering forever our inland waterways and natural, cultural landscapes.
Source: Southern Gulf NRM & Mount Isa Water Board.
Lake Moondarra's Booster Pump Station (Mount Isa, Australia's Kalkadoon Country)
By the 6th of November 1958 Lake Moondarra, originally known as Leichhardt Dam, was officially supplying water to Mount Isa Residents.
A history of the Mount Isa region, like most towns in Australia's arid interior, is a story about securing reliable water for domestic and industrial development. Prior to the construction of Lake Moondarra, Mount Isa's water needs were met by a series of bores near the bed of the Leichhardt River and the old Rifle Creek Dam.
But with a burgeoning town population and ever expanding mining operations, these water supplies became inadequate for the thirsty town. Subsequently, Mount Isa Mines Limited took the unprecedented decision to construct what was at the time Australia's largest privately funded water scheme.
In late 1956 a rocky gorge on the Leichhardt River (Tharrapatha) 16kms downstream from the township was selected due to its natural bedrock attributes and proximity to town. American company Uta Construction was awarded the contract and works began without delay with the building of a bitumen road from town to the clearing of trees within the basin.
However, this ambitious project was not to progress without drama, and by December 1956 seasonal rains sent flood waters rushing through the gorge causing extensive damage to the partially completed wall. When construction did resume several months later, it was the Australian company Thiess Brothers that completed the 26.5 metre concrete-faced wall thereby concluding Operation Big Water in 1957 at a cost of 2.4 million dollars.
On the 11th of July 1962 the Mount Isa Mail announced Lake Moondarra and 'Warrina Park' as new official names selected from over 400 entries by local school children.
In 1968 Clear Water Lagoon was partition off from Lake Moondarra to address water quality issues during flood events and interestingly remains one of few examples of natural filtration reservoirs in Australia.
On average 2000 megalitres/month is filtered through Clear Water Lagoon after being pumped from Lake Moondarra. Due in part to Moondarra's high evaporation rate and the region's sustained growth and development the need to secure additional water supplies continued. In 1971 the height of Moondarra's spillway was increased and later in 1976 Lake Moondarra's sister dam Lake Julius, also on the Leichhardt River, was completed 70km downstream from Mount Isa. During times of prolonged drought, Lake Julius water can be pumped directly into Clear Water Lagoon.
Undeniably, economic growth and development are the catalysts for offering forever our inland waterways and natural, cultural landscapes.
Source: Southern Gulf NRM & Mount Isa Water Board.