Carcoar Dam
Year-round water sports and fishing
DAM LEVEL
99%
CAPACITY
36GL
SIZE OF LAKE
4 KM2
Carcoar Dam is a popular inland sport and recreation destination in Central West NSW, offering year-round attractions for water sports and fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers, campers and picnickers. Free camping is available on the lake foreshores. The main purpose of the dam is to supply irrigation, stock and household needs in the Belubula Valley. The dam features an unusual thin concrete wall that is curved from side to side and also from top to bottom in a double parabolic arch.
Look out points
Dam wall
Walk or drive across the dam wall for panoramic views of the lake and countryside. The concrete wall is 187 metres long and 52 metres high.
Lake foreshores
There are many vantage points around the lake with views of the water and rolling countryside.
HOURS - Entry is free
- Open 24 hours
TOP SAFETY TIPS
- Wear a life jacket
- Supervise your children
- Look out for underwater hazards
- Keep a safe distance when boating
- Follow all algae alerts
Learn more about safety at our sites.
REPORT A HAZARD OR INCIDENT
Please phone 1800 061 069
In an emergency call 000
We’re the people taking care of the state’s water at the source – capturing, storing, delivering. Learn more about WaterNSW.
Boat ramps
Camping
Picnic Shelters
Shower facilities
Toilets
Things to do
Our dams and recreation areas are natural environments, please read these safety tips for an enjoyable visit.
Camp
Camping is available for free on the lake foreshores. There are unpowered sites for caravans and camping. An amenities block has flush toilets and cold showers. There are picnic tables and electric barbecues.
Water sports
The lake is a popular spot for water sports including skiing, jet skis, sailing and canoeing. The water is very cold and not suitable for swimming. A boat ramp is located about one kilometre north of the dam wall at the Carcoar Dam Sailing Club. The club sails on Sundays during warmer months.
Fishing
Carcoar Dam is stocked with Murray cod, golden perch (yellow belly), silver perch and trout. Redfin is the most common catch.
Map and directions
Carcoar Dam is about 55 kilometres south-west of Bathurst and 6 kilometres east of Carcoar in Central West NSW. Carcoar is about 260 kilometres west of Sydney via the Great Western and Mid Western highways.
No model aircraft or drones
Facts and History
Carcoar Dam is situated on the Belubula River about 6 kilometres upstream of Carcoar in Central West NSW. The dam is about 260 kilometres west of Sydney.
Find out more
CARCOAR DAM
Facts and History
Carcoar Dam is situated on the Belubula River about 6 kilometres upstream of Carcoar in Central West NSW. The dam is about 260 kilometres west of Sydney.
The dam has a capacity of 35,800 megalitres, making it one of the smaller NSW water storages. The dam has an unusual double parabolic arch concrete wall.
Carcoar Dam is named after nearby Carcoar, the third oldest inland town in NSW.
Why the dam was built
Carcoar Dam was built to provide a reliable supply of water for irrigation in the Belubula Valley and to meet downstream stock and domestic needs.
Lucerne is the main crop supported by irrigation. Pastures for sheep and cattle and cereal crops such as wheat are also cultivated. Vegetables are grown along the river.
The dam’s small 230 square kilometre catchment is largely farming country in the Belubula River valley south of Blayney.
How the dam was built
Carcoar Dam features an unusual thin concrete wall that is curved from side to side and also from top to bottom in a double parabolic arch.
Massive concrete supports at each end strengthen the thin concrete wall against the weight of the water in the dam. The wall is 187 metres long and 52 metres high.
A spillway runs along the entire length of the arch so when the water level rises it simply flows over the top. A road runs above the spillway.
Construction began in 1967 and finished in 1970.
WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more