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.
