OUR DAMS
At CleanCo, ensuring the safety of our dams and rivers is a top priority.
Water levels in Tully Gorge and Barron Gorge can change rapidly and without warning. While dam failures are extremely rare, it’s essential for nearby residents and those downstream to be prepared for emergencies. View everything you need to know on dam and river safety.
Dam Safety Policy
At CleanCo, ensuring the safety of our dams and rivers is a top priority.
Water levels in Tully Gorge and Barron Gorge can change rapidly and without warning. While dam failures are extremely rare, it’s essential for nearby residents and those downstream to be prepared for emergencies. We advise everyone to stay informed and keep an eye out for active alerts. CleanCo is dedicated to maintaining our dams to the highest standards.
Dam Level
08 October 2025, 5:00 am
Koombooloomba Dam
Location 30km south of Ravenshoe
Storage Capacity 186,750 ML
Area 1600 ha
Catchment area 163km2
About
Koombooloomba Dam
Located on the Tully River in north Queensland, Koombooloomba Dam is the storage reservoir for the Koombooloomba and Kareeya Hydro Power Stations.
Koombooloomba Dam is accessible to the public for recreational use however when the capacity is below 25% or above 90% when the dam starts spilling, restrictions apply for vessels powered by engines in excess of 3 kilowatts or 4 horsepower.
CleanCo proactively manages the water levels of the dam through generation activities.
Dam failures are extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Splityard Creek Dam
Location 30km north-west of Ipswich
Storage Capacity 28,700 ML
Area 104 ha
Catchment area 3.8km2
About
Splityard Creek Dam
Located above the Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydro Power Station in the Somerset Region, Splityard Creek Dam is the upper reservoir for hydro generation. This dam is not accessible to the public for recreational water activities.
Water levels in Splityard Creek Dam are not published as water is released and pumped on a regular basis as required to meet energy generation needs. CleanCo proactively manages the water levels of the dam through generation activities.
Dam failure is extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Swanbank Cooling Water Dam
Location 12km south-east of Ipswich
Storage Capacity 863 ML
Area 27 ha
Catchment area 7.4km2
About
Swanbank Cooling Water Dam
Swanbank Cooling Water Dam is the main water storage facility for the Swanbank E Power Station, located on Oaky Creek just upstream of Bundamba Creek in Ipswich. The water is used to cool steam released by the power station’s steam turbine during generation.
Water levels in Swanbank Cooling Water Dam are not published and the dam is not accessible to the public for recreational water activities.
Dam failures are extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
PFAS at Swanbank
The health and safety of our employees and host communities is CleanCo’s number one priority. We understand our responsibility to care for, and where possible improve, the environment at our operational assets. We are committed to evidenced-based environmental management.
CleanCo is aware of the presence of Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at our Swanbank site. While PFAS is no longer used at Swanbank, historically it has been used at the Swanbank Power Station site and in the surrounding region for firefighting training, testing and emergency response purposes. Firefighting foams containing non-compliant levels of PFAS were phased out at CleanCo’s Swanbank site between 2016 and 2019 in line with Queensland Government policy.
CleanCo undertakes regular water quality testing and analysis around our Swanbank site. We work in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to support ongoing regulatory oversight, PFAS sampling projects, and to share relevant information as necessary.
Due to the presence of PFAS in Swanbank Lake, fishing, swimming and recreational water activities are not permitted. People are advised not to have any physical contact with the water in the lake. Pets should not swim in the lake or drink from it. In the event of skin contact with lake water, rinse with tap water.
More information
For more information about PFAS and the current advice for Ipswich waterways, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/environmental/pfas/sites/ipswich
For enquiries about our Swanbank site, please contact our Community Performance team by emailing community@cleancoqld.com.au
To the maximum extent permitted by law, CleanCo Queensland Limited ABN 85 628 008 159 (CleanCo) makes no representations or warranties and accepts no liability as to or in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information on dam levels displayed on this website. You should not rely on the information contained in the dam level table. You should make your own enquiries and obtain your own independent advice with respect to the use and accuracy of the dam level information provided or referenced on the CleanCo website. The dam level information contained on this website is subject to copyright and if you wish to make use of the dam level information you should contact CleanCo to obtain a licence.