Prevention of the next potentially disastrous flood

Like the above proposal this idea is to divert water easterly through a tunnel into North Pine River. Billies Crossing is on the easterly side of Lake Wivenhoe and about 8 km north of the dam wall. The exit for the tunnel will be near The Basin which is at the south-western corner of Lake Samsonvale. The distance is about 19km and the fall is roughly 30 m.

The positive aspect of this tunnel is that it directly drains Wivenhoe Dam and so has a bigger catchment than the Reedy Creek tunnel. It also has a greater fall.

The negative aspects are the same as for the Reedy Creek tunnel. It must be noted that the work for this proposal has been done from commercial contour maps. With more accurate surveying the tunnels may prove to be somewhat shorter. For Australia 19 km may seem to be a long tunnel but the World's longest is the Delaware Aqueduct in USA which is 137km long and it was built in 1945 for carrying water. The Epping to Chatswood rail tunnel in NSW is 13 km long.

Both tunnels divert water into North Pine River so care is needed not to overwhelm that river and cause a flood downstream. Timing and flow rates will need careful control.

Diversion of water into a renewed Lake Atkinson

This proposal is for a big extension of the Lake Atkinson Dam which will help alleviate flooding by itself. I do not have details as it was suggested by another geologist friend. His proposal was to enlarge the dam greatly by excavation. Once there is a bigger dam in place then some overflow from Wivenhoe Dam can be channelled into Atkinson Dam. The channel would be about 10km long.

Relief to the Brisbane River below the dam could involve a new dam on the Bremer River, a channel connecting the Brisbane River to the Logan River, straightening strategic parts of the Brisbane River, and deepening strategic parts of the Brisbane River.

A New Dam on the Bremer River

This will alleviate flooding to some extent. The main problem is finding a suitable place for it as the land is fairly flat. Western River joins the Bremer River near Lanefield south of Rosewood. This would require a dam about 4 km long and could interfere with the township of Rosewood. Mount Walker Lower is a possibility, and if that is not suitable then the Mount Walker area should be considered.

The advantages of such a dam are obvious. The land is not overpopulated except near Rosewood.

The only serious disadvantage is the flat nature of the country for a large dam.

Between Rosewood and Ipswich and west of Amberley airport is a large swampy area. Jeebropilly and Ebenezer open cut coal mines are in this area. My friend Evan suggested large scale excavation in this area. The coal, which is widespread in the area may be sub-economic at present but its value would help to pay for the excavation works, especially at the current price of coal. Coal extends out to Rosewood. The only problem with this might be increased bird life which could be a nuisance to the Amberley airport assuming that there are no proposals for it to be re-sited elsewhere.