Callide Valley
History
Callide Dam was constructed in 1965 with the capacity of the dam increased with the construction of a second stage in 1988. Coal mining, beef production, power generation, dryland cropping and irrigation cropping such as lucerne and cotton are the Shire’s major industries.
Uses of Water
Irrigation
Irrigation water is supplied from groundwater reserves in the valley to irrigated agriculture including dairy, winter and summer cereal cropping and lucerne.
Urban Water Supplies
The Banana Shire Council draws water from the Callide Dam for the township of Biloela.
Industrial
SunWater supplies water to a number of large industries located in the Callide Valley including the Callide Power Station and a meatworks.
Major Storages
Water is released from Callide (136,700 ML) and Kroombit dams (14,600 ML) to downstream controlling structures, from which water percolates into the underlying aquifers. Water is supplied to the majority of customers in the valley from these aquifers.