Chichester Dam
Planning to visit Chichester Dam?
Before heading out to visit Chichester Dam, remember to confirm the park is open. We have work planned over the next few weeks.
Planned closures - May 2025
Chichester Dam will be closed for public access on the below dates. We are resurfacing the access road, and undertaking electrical and fencing work. This work has been delayed over the past week due to heavy rain.
- Monday 12th May to Friday 16th May - Closed
- Saturday 17th May and Sunday 18th May - Closed
- Monday 19th May to Friday 23rd May - Closed
- Saturday 24th May and Sunday 25th May - To be confirmed
No caravans and trailers
Please don't bring caravans and trailers - there is very limited space to turn around.
Day visitors only - no camping.
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 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 |
Our current storage levels
Our water levels drop faster than most other major Australian urban centres during hot, dry periods because we have shallow water storages and high evaporation rates.
The dam is fed by the Wangat River to the north and Chichester River to the north-west.
- The Wangat River’s catchment is entirely vegetated and pristine. There is very little recreational activity in this catchment because of its difficult terrain. The Wangat catchment has been deemed by an expert panel to represent the lowest risk of pollution to drinking water.
- Chichester River’s catchment is partially cleared for agricultural and rural residential land use. Land parcel size is small to medium for a rural area. There has been an increase in holdings of hobby farms and holiday accommodation due to the region’s beauty and relative isolation. There is no intensive agriculture in the catchment.
There is high run-off from the area due to the abundant rainfall and the large catchment area. Hence, the dam is filled quickly following medium to heavy rainfall.
How it works
- A gravitation main transports water from the dam to the major city reservoirs in Maitland, Cessnock and Newcastle.
- Water from Chichester Dam is dosed with chlorine at the dam and then transported via a gravity pipe to Dungog, where it is further treated at the Dungog Water Treatment Plant.
- Hunter Water has increased environmental flow releases from Chichester Dam into the Williams River to manage and minimise environmental impacts. These flows help sustain natural ecosystems along the Chichester River.
Chichester Dam risk assessment report
As part of our commitment as a responsible dam owner, in 2023 Hunter Water completed a five-yearly risk assessment to inform our 15-yearly safety review for Chichester Dam. Click below to learn more about the assessment and its findings.
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.