Situated
21Km north-east of St George lies Beardmore Dam / Lake Kajarabie.
Constructed in 1972 for irrigation & town water the
Beardmore Dam holds 81 800 ML of water at 100% capacity
at an average depth of 2.4 metres and has a surface area
of 3350 ha.
The Beardmore Dam & the lake it created (Kajarabie)
impound water for some 75km along the Balonne River and
almost 20 km along the Maranoa River.
Fishing
Closed
Waters are in place at the dam and fishing is prohibited
100 metres upstream and 200 metres downstream of the wall.
Due to the size of Lake Kajarabie & the distances upstream
without weirs, Golden Perch, Silver Perch & Murray Cod
breed naturally keeping the lake & rivers naturally
stocked to some degree. However there is still a need to
stock fish in the lake.
Stocked
fish are Murray Cod,
Golden Perch (Yellowbelly)
and Silver Perch.
There are naturally occurring populations of Tandans
(eel tailed catfish) and Spangled
Perch.
There are also European carp
in Lake Kajarabie, Balonne River & Maranoa Rivers. Any
Carp caught must be immediately killed in a humane manner
& no part put back into the water under any circumstances,
including for use as bait. (Penalties apply)
Boating
Boating is prohibited within 100 metres of any dam wall
or weir in Queensland, including the Border Rivers.
Other than a 40 knot speed limit and normal boating rules,
no other boating restrictions apply.
Great
care should be taken near the marker buoys just downstream
from the boat ramp. A large concrete pad has been installed
inside the buoy line and various obstructions are in place
on and around the pad.
Caution
is advised when travelling around the lake by boat due to
many areas of shallow water, submerged tree stumps and some
standing timber.
There
is a boat ramp provided, however when water levels are low
a 4x4 will be necessary. Seek local advice.
Camping
There is no camping permitted at Beardmore Dam / Lake Kajarabie.
There are various private properties that permit bush camping
downstream along the Balonne River downstream towards Jack
Taylor Weir.
Hotel / Motel style Accomodation is available in St George.
See Accommodation
page for details.
