Switch on to safety at Greater Sydney dams

With thousands of people heading off to Greater Sydney’s rivers and dams during the school holidays, WaterNSW is reminding visitors to be well prepared and stay safe.

“Easter is a very busy time at our campgrounds like Bendeela on the Kangaroo River south of Sydney,” WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations Sydney, Brian Mayhew, said.

“Popular campgrounds book out early, so if you are enjoying one of Sydney’s many other rivers, it’s important to supervise your children and look out for hazards like fast flowing water, flood debris or fallen trees.”

Watersports and swimming are not permitted at water supply dams at Warragamba, Prospect, on the Upper Nepean River, or in the Blue Mountains. “Our Sydney dams are still great places to visit for a family picnic or get together,” Brian said.

Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre is open daily 10am-4pm (closed Good Friday) with interactive displays, viewing platforms of the dam wall and Lake Burragorang, and extensive picnic facilities.

“Don’t forget you can also step back in time by visiting one of our historic Upper Nepean dams,” Brian said. “You’ll see Egyptian style stone gateways at Cordeaux Dam, or Art Deco concrete structures at Nepean Dam.”

Picnic facilities and toilets are available at the four Upper Nepean dams on the Illawarra Plateau south of Sydney – Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean.