The Barron River on Queensland’s Atherton Tableland was dammed in 1958 for agriculture. It flows on after the towering dam wall that contains the large Lake Tinaroo.
Lake Tinaroo is edged by rainforest and mountains in some parts, as in Danbulla National Park, giving it many moods, and by domesticated areas in others.
I am staying at my friend Inge’s Tinaroo Haven BnB, a precious few acres of bushland full of wildlife and birdsong.
The Lake is hugely popular for fishing and boating, but its shallow areas’ dead trees marking it as man-made reduce its appeal for me.
As I have just read the evocative ‘Cool Water’ by Myfanwy Jones, set during the construction of this dam, I am especially attuned to the drowned land that lies beneath the surface.
But the dam spillway is another matter. The day I was there it was spilling over from the Lake in an amazing perpetual pattern, roaring with beauty.
The constantly changing chevrons of white lace were mesmerising.
Once they reached the base they created new patterns.
My friend had never seen the spillway like this, but rather a more even overflow curtain. This day I was just lucky.
You’re right – that pattern is amazing! Hope you’re having a great refresh and reset, Sharyn.
Then that water makes its way North to eventually drop down the Barron Falls at Kuranda, which, after heavy rain is a spillway of a totally different sort.