Monday, 10 March 2014

Behind the Moondarra Spillway {Mount Isa}

Lake Moondarra (aka Moondarra Dam) is Mount Isa's main water source.  At the moment it is around 30% full (or perhaps 70% empty!) for a town of around 22,000 people - that is pretty scary!!  There is very limited options for us to get fresh water in to town if our dam runs out.

On the plus side - it has been raining - on and off - for the last couple of weeks - and we are all very hopeful that we will get more rain.

As with all dams - the Moondarra Dam has a spillway - this is where the excess water flows to when the dam is full.  This area is a beautiful forest of gum trees and quaint little mushrooms and wildflowers.


During a good wet season this excess water will spill into the river and flow around a wonderful park and playground, officially called "Warrina Park" - but to us locals - we know it better as "Peacock Park"; due to the abundance of wild (well - pretty tame actually) Peacock's and Peahen's.


There are plenty of other native birds and lizards there also.

For more information on what it looks like when our dam fills up - see a prior blog here:  Finally some water is getting into Moondarra Dam




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Gum Tree Forest at the bottom of the Lake Moondarra spillway

Gum Tree Forest at the bottom of the Lake Moondarra spillway

A beautiful old gum tree - providing a home to a multitude of creepy crawly critters

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I am not quite sure what Cicada this shell is from - but it is looks like it has been through some sort of bronzing treatment


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I think this is some sort of Miner Bird - possibly the Noisy Miner

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Blue Winged Kookaburra 



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Did you know Peacocks could fly?

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Lake Moondarra (or sometimes called Moondarra Dam) is also home to the richest fresh water fishing classic in Queensland - see this previous blog for more information: Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic


Located at Warrina Park for you to confirm the birds you may have seen whilst enjoying your picnic or bbq



The peacock's are not at all shy!!



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