Water in the Shoalhaven largely comes from the Shoalhaven River however Shoalhaven Water own and maintain 3 large storage dams. These dams are used to store water before being processed and pumped throughout the city to the residents and visitors. Below are our three main storage dams.

Bamarang Dam – total capacity 3,800ML

Water is pumped from the Shoalhaven River to this off-creek storage dam before being processed at the Bamarang Water Treatment Plant. Whilst river flows are running at a flow rate above 90ML per day, water from the river is pumped to Bamarang to maintain the level of water stored in the dam.

There are times, especially during drought, that water cannot be pumped from the river. This means that during these times, we as a community must become more water conscious as we rely on the water stored in the dam. Reduced water levels in this dam are a trigger for water restrictions.

Danjera Dam - total capacity 7,660ML

Located in a catchment area west of Nowra, Danjera Dam is our backup water supply. Water is only released from this dam as a result of water restrictions. Although remote, Danjera Dam is also a popular camping area.

Porters Creek Dam – total capacity 1,900ML

Porters Creek Dam is located in the southern Shoalhaven in Morton National Park, around 11km west of Lake Conjola. Depending on water levels, this dam supplies water to the southern end of the Shoalhaven and is treated at the Milton Water Treatment Plant. 

NOTE: ML = megalitres = 1,000,000 litres

Information on our current water situation can be found in the Related Links to the right.