| Connolly Dam | |
| Location Map: | Queensland |
| Location Map Caption: | Location of the Connolly Dam in Queensland |
| Coordinates: | -28.36°N 152.0017°W |
| Country: | Australia |
| Location: | Darling Downs, Queensland |
| Status: | O |
| Operator: | Southern Downs Regional Council |
| Dam Type: | E |
| Dam Height: | 22m (72feet) |
| Dam Height Thalweg: | 174m (571feet) |
| Dam Length: | 145m (476feet) |
| Dam Volume: | 115e3m3 |
| Spillway Type: | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway Capacity: | 540m3/s |
| Res Capacity Total: | 2157ML |
| Res Catchment: | 134km2 |
| Res Surface: | 52ha55ha |
| Res Max Depth: | 16m (52feet) |
The Connolly Dam, also called the Silverwood Dam,[1] is a rockfill embankment dam with an ungated spillway across the Rosenthall Creek and the Fitz Creek that is located in the locality of Silverwood, Southern Downs Region, part of the Darling Downs district of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for potable water supply of the Southern Downs Region.[2] It discharges via Rosenthal Creek to join the Condamine River in east Warwick.[3]
The dam was built to supply water to the town of Warwick. The first sod was turned on Friendly Societies' Day in September 1926 by the Minister for Lands Thomas Dunstan.[4] [5] It was completed in 1927.
Originally known as Silverwood Dam, in September 1926, it was renamed Connolly Dam after Dan Connolly, who was Mayor of Warwick in 1910 and again from 1924 to 1932 and who had instigated in the creation of the dam.[6] [7]
The dam is located in a mountain valley southeast of Warwick and approximately north of the Border Rivers region that generally defines the border between Queensland and New South Wales.
The rockfill dam structure is high and long. The 115e3m3 dam wall holds back the 2157ML reservoir when at full capacity. The uncontrolled un-gated spillway has a discharge capacity of .[2] The dam is managed by the Southern Downs Regional Council.[8]
Golden perch, silver perch, Murray cod, spangled perch and eel-tailed catfish may be found in the reservoir. Golden perch dominate most catches for lure/fly anglers, while silver perch and eel-tailed catfish (dewfish) are more of a bait fishing prospect. A stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in the dam.[9]
Connolly Dam is an "electric only" impoundment (outboards must be taken off) meaning only electric or manually powered craft may be used.[10] Only members of the Warwick District Recreational Fish Stocking Association (WDRFSA) may take craft on the waterway, and only on weekends between sunrise and sunset. WDRFSA memberships are available from the caretaker at the dam currently costing $10. There is no boat ramp but there are many ideal locations around the dam to launch a boat. Membership cards must be shown to the caretaker prior to launching watercraft.
Camping is permitted at Connolly Dam. Toilets are provided at the lookout adjacent to dam wall.[11]