The
Paradise Dam is a relatively new impoundment. Completed
in November 2005 by the Burnett Dam Alliance, Paradise Dam
will hold 300,000 megalitres of water.
Situated approximately 20kms north-west of Biggenden and
80kms south-west of Bundaberg, the dam sits at the site
of historical mining town of Paradise, hence the name of
the dam.
A fish ladder has be included in the dam design. It is hoped
that this will allow some migration of fish as part of thier
natural cycle.
Images
show the fish lift in operation & the survey
team monitoring the numbers ans species of fish
that the fishlift helps to migrate. As many as 13
000 fish have passed through this fish lift in a
24 hour period.
Click
on images for larger version. Image courtesy: Rod Cheetham
Fishing
The Burnett River was stocked both upstream and downstream
prior to the construction of Paradise Dam.
These include Australian Bass, Barramundi, Golden Perch
and Silver Perch.
There are breeding populations of Eel-Tailed Catfish, Fork-Tailed
Catfish, Spangled Perch and the endangered Queensland Lungfish.
Since construction there have been no fish stock here however
there are plans for a Fish Management Program.
It would be reasonable to expect that there are some fish
to be caught in Paradise Dam at time of writting.
Boat
ramp, parking and picnic area are provided
Fish
cleaning tables are provided for anglers. Please
keep them clean
The
fish lock / ladder can be seen on the left side
of this image
Click
on images for larger version
Boating
There are no boating restrictions on Paradise Dam with the
exception of an exclusion zone at the dam wall.
There are many submerged trees, rocks and tree stumps so
navigation should be done with care at all times.
A concrete boat ramp is provided however this is only usable
at high water levels. *The bank immediately in front of the boat ramp / carp
park is a sheer drop off. Resist using this for launching
when water level is below the concrete ramp.
Boats can be launched from the bank at the first bay on
left upstream of the recreation area, follow the track to
left from ramp.
Alternatively, boats can be launched from Mingo Crossing
at top end of the lake when at 10% capacity or higher.
Facilities
There are BBQs, picnic shelters, toilets, fish cleaning
tables, lookout (with interpretation info), drinking water
provided.
