Community Alerts
Here you will find updates on active alerts relating to CleanCo generating assets and dams.
ACTIVE ALERT
There is currently an active alert for Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station.
In December 2023, extremely high water levels in the Barron River caused significant damage to critical infrastructure at the Kuranda Weir which stores water required for power generation. As a result the Barron Gorge Power Station is currently inoperable.
Click here to find out more information about the Kuranda Weir Recovery Project.
Updated 07 February, 2024.
| Asset | Comment |
|---|---|
| Splityard Creek Dam | Alert level: YELLOW Active monitoring occurring of possible event No action required by the community at this time. (key messages about nature of event) CleanCo is actively monitoring the situation. Please continue to check this page and other communication channels for further updates. |
What do the alert status’ mean?
| Alert Status Meanings | |
|---|---|
| Alert (Yellow) | Active monitoring occurring of possible event |
| Lean Forward (Amber) | Community should stand by for further information |
| Stand Up (Red) | Depending on the extent of the event, community may be asked to evacuate. Actively seek further information and be ready to evacuate if advised |
| Stand Down (Green) | Risk has been reduced or resolved. No further action required. |
Overhauls
Routine maintenance activities are required to enable the ongoing safety and reliability of our assets. These maintenance activities, which require the generators to be taken out of service, are planned in advance and in consultation with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). However, there are times when unplanned outages are required.
Outages typically involve one generation turbine coming offline at a time, full outages where all turbines are offline are scheduled on a 4-5 year cycle.
Natural river flows remain unaffected by outages.
Water releases to enable generation will be reduced during outages dependent on the number of turbines that are offline. For example, at Kareeya during a partial outage when one turbine is offline, the power station can generate max 66MW, releasing 66ML down the river.
| Station | Outage commences | Outage ends (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Kareeya | 9 April 2024 | 16 April 2024 |
| Kareeya | 16 April 2024 | 18 April 2024 |
| Kareeya | 18 April 2024 | 26 April 2024 |
| Barron Gorge | 01 January 2024 | 01 July 2024 |
| Barron Gorge | 19 July 2024 | 19 July 2024 |
| Kareeya | 20 August 2024 | 30 August 2024 |
| Barron Gorge | 01 September 2024 | 22 November 2024 |
| Kareeya | 03 September 2024 | 13 September 2024 |
| Barron Gorge | 01 December 2024 | 02 December 2024 |
| Barron Gorge | 09 December 2024 | 09 December 2024 |
Updated 09 April, 2024
NOTE: The information on or available through this webpage (Information) is general, may be compiled from a variety of sources and may change without notice. As a result, Information may not be accurate, current or complete and CleanCo Queensland Limited does not represent or warrant its quality, reliability or suitability for any purpose. You are solely responsible for your use of the Information and any risks and consequences that might arise from such use. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you release CleanCo Queensland Limited from liability in connection with any losses, damages, costs or expenses of any kind that may be suffered or incurred in relation to any use of the Information. Please refer to CleanCo’s Queensland Limited’s AEMO forecast reporting for the most up to date information.
Dam Management
CleanCo has three dams which support energy generation for our assets.
Koombooloomba Dam
| Location | 30km south of Ravenshoe |
| Storage Capacity | 186,750 ML |
| Area | 1600 ha |
| Catchment area | 163km2 |
Located 39km by road south-east of Ravenshoe on the Tully River in north Queensland, Koombooloomba Dam is the storage reservoir for the Koombooloomba and Kareeya hydros.
Koombooloomba Dam is accessible to the public for recreational use however when the capacity is below 25% or above 90%, restrictions apply for vessels powered by engines in excess of 3 kilowatts or 4 horsepower.
CleanCo proactively manages the water levels of the dam through generation activities.
Dam failures are extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Splityard Creek Dam
| Location | 30km north-west of Ipswich |
| Storage Capacity | 28,700 ML |
| Area | 104 ha |
| Catchment area | 3.8km2 |
Located above the Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydro Power Station in the Somerset Region, Splityard Creek Dam is the upper reservoir for hydro generation. This dam is not accessible to the public for recreational water activities.
Water levels in Splityard Creek Dam are not published as water is released and pumped on a regular basis as required to meet energy generation needs. CleanCo proactively manages the water levels of the dam through generation activities.
Dam failure is extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Swanbank Cooling Water Dam
| Location | 10km south of Ipswich |
| Storage Capacity | 863 ML |
| Area | 27 ha |
| Catchment area | 744 ha |
Swanbank Cooling Water Dam is the main water storage facility for the Swanbank E Power Station, located on Oaky Creek just upstream of Bundamba Creek near Ipswich. The water is used to cool steam exhausted by the power station’s steam turbine during generation.
Water levels in Swanbank Cooling Water Dam are not published and the dam is not accessible to the public for recreational water activities.
Dam failures are extremely rare, however it’s important that neighbours and people downstream of dams know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
View the Swanbank Cooling Water Dam Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
Recreational River Use
CleanCo is committed to establishing and maintaining positive relationships with the communities within which we operate, with a focus on supporting local businesses and community initiatives. We are committed to engaging with the paddling community to support the continuation of recreational water activities on the Tully and Barron rivers.
Upcoming overhauls
At times, the Kareeya and Barron Gorge hydros are taken out of service to allow for maintenance activities to take place. While every effort is made to plan these works in advance, there are times when unplanned outages are required.
Staying safe on our waterway
Water levels in Tully Gorge and Barron Gorge can increase and decrease rapidly and without warning.
