Toonumbar Dam
Picturesque dam in the mountains of the North Coast
DAM LEVEL
103%
CAPACITY
11GL
SIZE OF LAKE
3 KM2
What Toonumbar Dam lacks in size it more than makes up for with its picturesque setting among tall timbers in rugged mountain country. Situated in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range above Casino and Lismore on the North Coast, the dam helps irrigate the Richmond Valley and supplies water to towns and farmers along Iron Pot and Eden creeks and the Richmond River. The dam is also a popular fishing and water sport destination.
Dam fact sheet (PDF, 746.67 KB)
Look out points
Dam wall
Walk across the dam wall for spectacular views across the lake fringed by the rugged bushland of Richmond Range National Park and downstream along Iron Pot Creek. The dam wall is 229 metres long and 44 metres high.
Lookout
A lookout and picnic area just north of the dam wall provides excellent views of the lake and its rugged bush shoreline.
Bells Bay camping ground
- Phone 0459 383 498
- Email kyoglefishingclub@gmail.com
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.
Barbecues
Boat ramps
Camping
Picnic Shelters
Shower facilities
Toilets
Things to do
Water sports
Water sports include power boats, sailing, canoeing and swimming. There is an 8kph speed limit for power boats. Canoes are available for hire. Boat ramp available 3km further north at Bells Bay.
Fishing
Toonumbar Dam is regularly stocked with bass which are the top catch. Fishing is best on the water by canoe or boat but the foreshores also provide fishing spots. Access is via boat ramp – at Bells Bay 3km north of the wall.
Map and directions
Toonumbar Dam is about 30 kilometres west of Kyogle on the NSW North Coast. About 8km of the road is unsealed. Kyogle is about 750 kilometres north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway and Summerland Way.
No model aircraft or drones
Facts and History
Toonumbar Dam is situated on Iron Pot Creek about 30 kilometres west of Kyogle on the NSW North Coast and about 750 kilometres north of Sydney.
Find out more
TOONUMBAR DAM
Facts and History
Toonumbar Dam is situated on Iron Pot Creek about 30 kilometres west of Kyogle on the NSW North Coast and about 750 kilometres north of Sydney.
The dam was completed in 1971 to provide water for irrigation, stock and domestic requirements in the Richmond Valley.
Toonumbar is an Aboriginal word meaning heelmark.
Why the dam was built
Toonumbar Dam was built to provide a reliable supply of water for irrigation in the Richmond Valley, meet downstream stock and domestic needs, and provide flood mitigation and environmental flows.
The dam’s 98 square kilometre catchment falls largely within the Richmond Range and Toonumbar national parks featuring rugged mountain terrain of steep ridges and deep gullies.
How the dam was built
Toonumbar Dam is a rock-fill embankment with a clay core. The wall is 229 metres long and 44 metres high.
A concrete chute spillway is located just south of the dam wall.
Construction began in 1969 and finished in 1971.
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