Fish everywhere fish everywhere an oral history offish. Water resources and management overview gwydir catchment. Diamond from staggy creek lead, copeton dam, hardinge co. A recent trip to copeton waters, saw us rigging rods with new leader and picking our arsenal for the day ahead. Map 17 copeton and toonumbar dams, malpas reservoir created date. Its hard not to have heard of the iconic location with photos streaming daily across social media of happy anglers encountering the huge cod that inhabit the lake. Located approx 30km south west of inverell is copeton dam also called copeton waters. Just need expendable gear that i trust, and all the time in the world. Copeton dam is within the scope of wikiproject australia, which aims to improve wikipedia s coverage of australia and australiarelated topics. Alert for bluegreen algae for copeton dam wonulla station and pindari dam station 23. We expect to see copeton get better and better as the frosts get thicker and the highpressure systems become plentiful. But two years on, the drought has sucked the life out of the dam which. Copeton dam is a popular sport and recreation spot, located 35km southwest of inverell on the nsw northern tablelands.
During that time the bureau oversaw the construction of more than half of its 340 active dams. I am david allan and i manage the inland waters holiday park copeton waters. Google releases dramatic aerial footage of dam levels over time. I was born and raised in inverell and have been fishing since i was 7 years old. This new level will remain in place until dam improvement work is completed on north pine dam. View park book now copeton waters 3533 copeton dam road, copeton 2360 nsw australia. The earliest known dam is the jawa dam in jordan, 100 kilometres 62 mi northeast of the capital amman. Copeton dam reunion abc new england north west nsw. You can also click within the sydney drinking water catchment to get more. Copeton dam state recreation park play all year round. The construction of a new spillway at copeton dam, southwest of inverell in northern new south wales, begins. Start this article has been rated as startclass on the projects quality scale. Locally its known as copeton dam, otherwise known as copeton waters state park this amazing man made inland haven is located south of inverell in nsw on the new england ranges.
Its a boating bonanza at copeton with the upgrade to the. They have park accommodation and playgrounds for children. The dam level was at 14% during this video, shot in mid march 2020. I carried out some electrical work for and old miner named joe. Of these, 5 facilities are considered major dams according to the australian national committee on large dams dams and reservoirs. The dam s purpose includes environmental flows, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply.
Full capacity can be approximated by the pool water level at the point where there is no visible flow into and out of that pool. If you would like to participate, visit the project page. At full capacity the lake spreads out over 46km2, with the purpose to supply water for farmland irrigation, stock and household water needs in the gwydir valley. Over the years there have been many books and articles written andor published about the heritage of the inverell district. Keeping an eye on the sounder i found a nice drop off with some semi submerged timber.
A name that keeps coming up in conversations about oversize murray cod is copeton dam. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to unlock the full potential of copeton dam and attract more tourists than ever before, mr marshall said. Dogs are permitted at reflections holiday parks copeton waters on sites and in select standard cabins year round. Pindari dam was the first major dam in northern nsw.
Map 17 copeton and toonumbar dams, malpas reservoir. Easily find directions to copeton dam rd in inverell, nsw 2360 using whereis. Back in 1994 the dam registered a 2% water level and it was possible to see some of the 39 cemetery headstones, the mine tower and old fence lines. Copeton dam is a major clay core and rock fill embankment. We unloaded the tinny just before midday and set off up the gwydir river arm of the dam. Back in 1994, the dam registered a 2% water level and it was possible. Reflections holiday parks copeton waters is the place to be this winter, with lower dam levels than usual not deterring anyone from enjoying the dam and popular holiday park.
Low this article has been rated as lowimportance on the projects importance scale. Copeton dam is a major clay core and rock fill embankment dam with nine radial gates and a gated concrete chute spillway across the gwydir river upstream of bingara in the new england region of new south wales, australia. Synonymous with big cod and copeton are jamie flett and his mudeye lures. The largest reservoir in new south wales is the 4,798,000megalitre 1. Park manager paul irwin said the current water level of 10. Books literature, music, opera and musical theatre. Unlike sydney harbour, it needs rain and they havent had much for the past few years so the dam is nowhere near capacity. Staff are very friendly and the facilities are very good. Mobile phone reception problems at copeton dam could have serious consequences. Built in the late 1960s, it was enlarged in the 1990s to improve secure water supplies in the border rivers system. Mar 05, 2015 copeton dam near inverell first flight to a height of 200m. Copeton dam northern foreshore camping area, copeton, nsw. Copeton caravan park nsw reflections holiday parks.
The reserve is operated as a primitive camping area with a limited number of powered and unpowered sites, a small shower and toilet block situated at the entrance to the reserve. Camping, fishing, fossicking, bushwalking, caravan parks, boat ramps. Mudeye lures, whether in the hands of their creator or others, continue to take the lions share of the big fish in copeton and in the surrounding waters of the new england area. Gold from oaky creek lead, copeton dam, hardinge co. We have more rain coming, and copeton was sitting at. In 1994, the drought had caused the water level in the copeton dam, near inverell nsw, to fall to such an extent that the long submerged sites of the small towns of copeton and dasey town and their cemeteries reappeared. The flesh of murray cod is firm and white, has relatively few bones, keeps well, is moist and has a superb flavour. Burrendong dam is one of the largest inland dams in nsw with a capacity of 1,678,000 megalitres, three times sydney harbour.
Fish everywhere fish everywhere an oral history offish h g r. The copeton dam northern foreshore camping area is just 17km from inverell and caters for a range of recreational activities. Average class a pan evaporation exceeds average rainfall throughout the whole valley, varying from around 1,200 mm per year in the southeast to over 2,000 mm per year in the northwest. Mar 09, 2010 the copeton dam south west of inverell and has a capacity three times sydney harbour. Lake mulwala, burrinjuck dam, copeton dam and glen lyon dam. Water restriction levels in nsw towns decided by local councils. Reflections holiday parks copeton waters home facebook.
Bluegreen algae alert for copeton dam \r\n\r\nthe barwon regional algal coordinating committee \racc\ has issued a red level warning \high alert\ for bluegreen algae in copeton dam. The main purpose of the dam is to supply irrigation, stock and household needs in the gwydir valley, and environmental. Even though copeton dam is very low at the moment due to the devastating drought, it is still worth the visit. Its believed as many as 2000 people helped work on the construction and support work associated with the dam. Aerial photograph of copeton dam under construction in 1972. Heritage publications and photographs inverell shire council.
Copeton waters state park inverell 2020 all you need to. Copeton dam is a destination any keen cod angler will know about. There are public viewing points at both the spillway and dam structure itself, the latter offering commanding views of the dam and reservoir, whilst also providing amenities. Bluegreen algae alert for copeton dam\r \r the barwon regional algal coordinating committee \racc\ has issued a red level warning \high alert\ for bluegreen algae in copeton dam.
Seqwater will commence flood releases from north pine dam when storage levels exceed the enacted 68% reduced full supply level as a result of rainfall in the dam catchment. We find a boat ramp that runs several hundred metres, but the water level is so low it doesnt come near the ramp. Find out the storage levels of the dams in your valley. Copeton dam is a major clay core and rock fill embankment dam with nine radial gates and a. My friends mined for alluvial tin and uncovered a lot of sapphires. Two books that tell the history of the inverell district very well are the following written by local historian elizabeth wiedemann. The road passes across the top of the dam, some 100m or so.
For those people seeking to book facilities or obtain further information, please ring the copeton dam recreation area on 02 6723 6269 or email them direct. Their recollections date back to the early 1900s and, in this text, are supported by historical documents from as early. Please click on a dam or river icon to get current levels across new south wales. This incredible stretch of whitewater is unequalled in australia for its size and consistency during the release from the mighty copeton dam. Pumping is not permitted from natural pools when the water level in the pool is lower than its full capacity. Copeton dam offers sailing, windsurfing, boating, water skiing, fishing and. Sarah gwilym added a new photo at tingha side of copeton dam. Over the years there have been many books and articles written andor. Reflections holiday parks copeton waters, inverell. To catch a metery cod fishing copeton dam well where to start. Maps of directions of copeton nsw, 2360 for locals and travellers. Why the dam was built a dam on the gwydir river was proposed as early as they 1930s to improve town water supplies and boost agricultural production in the gwydir valley.
Located about 35km from invwrell on the bingara road, copeton dam is a major water storage on the gwydir river. The dam was built across the gwydir river in 1976 and its primary use is for irrigation water storage. An image of men beach fishing at reflections holiday parks. If i had started writing this piece a few days ago, it would be a very different article from what your about to read, but more on that later. Copeton dam is located around about 6 hours drive south west from my place on the gold coast. With the dam level dropping due to various water releases, its opened up a lot more fishable water with plenty of structure while shrinking the bays closer to the edge of the main basin, right where the big fish love to feed. Soldier hill lead soldiers hill mine, copeton dam, hardinge co.
Copeton has received great winter rain over the last few months. February 16 tingha, nsw, australia james higgins shared a memory with andrew buxton and 4 others at tingha side of copeton dam. When the news reached historian tricia evans, she immediately made arrangements to visit the area. The richmond river express and casino kyogle advertiser nsw. Copeton dam is pretty impressive its 3 times the size of sydney harbour when. Pindari dam supplies regulated flows for irrigation, stock and domestic use, town water supplies and industrial use along the severn and macintyre rivers upstream of the. Heritage publications and photographs inverell shire. You can also click within the sydney drinking water catchment to get more detail on dams in. Overview of the history, fishery, biology and aquaculture. George mount, of copeton, has a diamond which he obtained from the star mine at copeton, and had cut in sydney. These fishing tournaments are family friendly and fully insured and anglers safety is always a priority when fishing our events your team can be as competitive as you like or just fish for fun with some great mates. Tingha side of copeton dam tingha, new south wales.
Dams were used to control the water level, for mesopotamias weather affected the tigris and euphrates rivers. There has been a slow but consistent rise in dam levels. Sixty years ago before the copeton dam covered the. With a new career and the excitement of moving, the irwins were looking forward to living near tamworths most famous lake. Copeton waters state park is a 900ha recreational and adventures playground. Find a caravan site and park nsw reflections holiday parks. Located on the western slopes of the new england ranges, 550km northwest of sydney, 440km southwest of brisbane, 52km from bingara and only 40km from the thriving regional centre of inverell. Dec, 2015 sixty years ago before the copeton dam covered the diamonds. Nsw dam and river levels please click on a dam or river icon to get current levels across new south wales. Northern foreshores copeton dam located on the foreshore of copeton dam, 17 kilometres from inverell on the auburn vale road.
Antony burnham, bill griffin, hugh oneil 2018 hybrid lithologies in the source of diamonds from copeton and bingara, nsw, australia. List of dams and reservoirs in australia wikipedia. A dam on the gwydir river was proposed as early as they 1930s to improve town water supplies and. Sixty years ago before the copeton dam covered the diamonds. Pan evaporation in the gwydir catchment has a strong eastwest gradient. Abc new england north west nsw explore by topic australian. Having set up camp we head off in the car to explore some of the parks 1400 hectares. I enjoy all types of fishing, both fresh and salt water, mainly lure fishing, but i will use bait if i have to. Located 570km northwest of sydney, 440km southwest of brisbane and 40km from the regional hub of inverell, copeton is easily accessed via the gwydir highway. There are 2,250 dams, weirs, catchments, and barrages in new south wales. An oral history of fish and there habitats in the gwydir rivertracks ecological change through the memories of 33 longterm residents from different communities within the catchment area below copeton dam. Feb 28, 2016 everyone loves dams at the moment, so heres a bit of conservative dam play. Copeton dam is located on the gwydir river, around 35km southwest of inverell on the northwest tablelands of new south wales.
Early dam building took place in mesopotamia and the middle east. Copeton dam state recreation park play all year round copeton waters state park is a 900ha recreational and adventures playground. Its size and excellent edible qualities, make murray cod a prized fish and it is undoubtedly the. Copeton dam is one of the largest inland dams in nsw with a capacity of 1,364,000 megalitres, nearly three times that of sydney harbour. It is one of the largest inland dams in nsw, making it a favourite spot for watersports, fishing, bushwalking, camping and picnicking. For nomads in australia, regardless of hair colour. Natural pools include inriver pools found within the channels of rivers and. Lake copeton is almost three times the size of sydney harbour when full. Map directions to copeton dam rd inverell, nsw 2360. Thanks to barry blair, who has advised us of an upgrade to nsw site 281 in camps 10 or find it on your app.
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