Details
Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 July 2021 09:01
Boat on dam
Our lakes and dams are wonderful places to enjoy a wide range of recreation activities. But it's important to plan ahead before visiting a lake or dam in our region. As these are outdoor recreation areas they may be affected by weather and issues such as algae outbreaks. When planning your visit remember to check:
  • if the lake or dam is open or closed.
  • which activities are allowed.
  • if permits are required.
  • if fees apply.

+ - Lake Cooby Click to collapse

Open or closed status

At certain times we may need to close a lake area for your safety. If a closure occurs, the area that is unable to be accessed will be marked below with a cross.

Open  - Loveday Cove (including picnic area)
Open -  for boating and fishing 
Closed - dam wall (including picnic area). The dam wall area is closed while work is being carried out on the Cooby water pump station.

 

Allowed recreation activities (during open status)

Lake Cooby

  • boating (electric motors only)
  • boating (non-powered - rowing, sailing, canoeing)
  • windsurfing
  • fishing
  • picnics and BBQs
  • playground
  • bush walking. 

More information

Lake Cooby webpage

 

+ - Lake Cressbrook Click to collapse

Open or closed status

At certain times we may need to close a lake area for your safety. If a closure occurs, the area that is unable to be accessed will be marked below.

Open - picnic area
Closed - campground. The Cressbrook Dam campground will be closed until 17 September 2021 to complete capital works involving the replacement of the existing communal camp kitchen area and undertake preventative maintenance of other elements within the campground. The works have been delayed due to unforeseen issues with getting necessary materials and the availability of trades to complete the works. We are working to complete this project as soon as possible and are looking forward to delivering an improved camping experience at Lake Cressbrook.
Open - boating and fishing 

 

Allowed recreation activities (during open status)

Lake Cressbrook

  • boating (fuel powered)
  • boating (non-powered - rowing, sailing, canoeing)
  • fishing
  • camping
  • picnics and BBQs
  • bushwalking.

More information

Lake Cressbrook webpage

 

+ - Lake Perseverance Click to collapse

Open or closed status

At certain times we may need to close a lake area for your safety. If a closure occurs, the area that is unable to be accessed will be marked below with a cross.

Open - water based activities
Open - land based activities and picnic area

Allowed recreation activities (during open status)

Lake Perseverance

Activities on Lake Perseverance are only available to the Perseverance Aquatic Club and those participating in organised activities conducted through the Lake Perseverance Centre.

Other groups, including schools, can apply* to use the facilities which include:

  • accommodation
  • conference room
  • outdoor multipurpose court
  • sports oval
  • canoes and archery equipment. 

*Approval is considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information about bookings, phone 4697 8900.

More information

Lake Perseverance webpage

+ - Cecil Plains Weir Click to collapse

Allowed recreation activities (during open status)

  • fishing
  • camping
  • picnics.

More information

Cecil Plains Weir webpage

+ - Lemontree Weir - Bostock bridge crossing Click to collapse

Allowed recreation activities

  • fishing.

More information

Lemontree Weir - Bostock bridge crossing webpage.

+ - Yarramalong Weir Click to collapse

Allowed recreation activities (during open status)

  • boating (fuel powered)
  • boating (non-powered - rowing, sailing, canoeing)
  • swimming
  • fishing
  • camping
  • picnics.

More information

Yarramalong Weir webpage

+ - Water standards for recreational activity Click to collapse

Each week we test the water quality of our dams to ensure they meet the appropriate standards* for water-based recreational activity. This takes into account direct contact with the water without water treatment. This process includes testing for the presence of algal and bacterial organisms and the toxins produced when these organisms die off.

When the water quality drops below the required standards, we close the dam for affected activities.

Required standards include (but are not limited to):

  • Microcystis less than 4mm3/L
  • all Cyanobacteria less than 10mm3/L
  • Microcystin less than 0.7μg/L
  • Cylindrospermopsin less than 0.5μg/L
  • Saxitoxin less than 0.2μg/L
  • Clostridium perfringens less than 1 cfu/100ml
  • E.coli less than 150 cfu/100ml
  • Enterococci less than 35 cfu/100ml
  • Somatic coliphages less than 100 organisms/100ml
  • F-RNA coliphages less than 10 organisms/100ml
  • Cryptosporidium less than 1 organisms/100ml
  • Giardia less than 10 organisms/100ml.

* Australian Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines