Inundation maps
A range of Chichester Dam inundation maps are now available on the NSW SES Flood Data Portal.
Chichester Dam
Constructed between 1915 and 1926, Chichester Dam was the first dedicated drinking water storage system to the Lower Hunter, and to this day is considered one of the most pristine catchments in Australia.
Planning to visit Chichester Dam?
Before heading out to visit Chichester Dam, remember to check here to confirm the park is open. Public access to the dam may be closed when maintenance or upgrade work is being carried out. Work is planned for periods during 2026.
Public access to the dam is currently closed. We apologise for any inconvenience and will reopen areas when we can.
Constructed between 1915 and 1926, Chichester Dam was the first dedicated drinking water storage system to the Lower Hunter, and to this day is considered one of the most pristine catchments in Australia. Located at the top of the Williams River catchment, it contributes around 35 per cent of the Lower Hunter’s drinking water supply.
Chichester River flows and wet weather information
After rain, the Chichester Dam may fill to capacity. Water will ‘spill’ over the dam spillway and flow down the Chichester River.
Chichester Dam risk assessment
In 2023 Hunter Water completed a five-yearly risk assessment to inform our 15-yearly safety review for Chichester Dam. Learn more about the assessment and its findings.
Sign up for dam safety alerts
We send dam safety alerts to help keep our community connected and informed.
| Chichester Dam | |
|---|---|
| Catchment area | 199km2 |
| Dam volume | 18,356ML (1ML = 1 million litres) |
| Maximum depth | 37 metres |
| Surface area | 180 hectares |
| Annual rainfall | 1300mm (Upper Chichester) |
| Areas supplied | Lower Hunter, approx 35% of volume |
| Land use breakdown of catchment | 76% National Park, 17% rural, 7% Hunter Water freehold |
Restrictions
As the dam is a drinking water supply source for the Hunter Region, there are restrictions in place for visitors, including:
- No dogs, horses or other pets within the picnic area
- No swimming or entering the waters
- No boating or fishing
- No camping or staying overnight. Camping and other accommodation options are available nearby. For more information, refer to the Dungog Visitor Information Centre
Penalties
The penalties for non-compliance and further information can be found on the Public access to dams and catchments page.