Cotter Dam

The Cotter Dam consists of a concrete gravity structure and rockfill embankment spanning across the Cotter River at an elevation of 506 meters.

The initial construction of the dam began in 1912, coinciding with the establishment of Canberra, and reached completion in 1915 as a water supply infrastructure.

The dam and adjacent river received their names from Garrett Cotter, an early settler who established roots in this section of Australian territory.

The enlarged reservoir currently holds 78 gigalitres of water, supplying Canberra residents through the Stromlo Water Treatment Plant distribution system.

The 2013 expansion project created a seven-kilometer fish habitat to protect the Macquarie Perch species while implementing the largest roller-compacted concrete dam in Australia.

Location: Australian Capital Territory

Inception: 1912

Elevation above the sea: 506 m

GPS coordinates: -35.32196,148.94331

Latest update: May 11, 2025 02:35