Upper Nepean Scheme

The Upper Nepean Scheme is a water supply network consisting of four dams, two weirs, and canals across the Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon, and Nepean rivers. The system moves water downhill to serve Sydney and surrounding regions through gravity alone.

A Royal Commission in 1867 set the foundation for building this water system to solve Sydney's water shortage problem. Construction started in 1880 and took until 1935 to finish.

The dams serve as gathering places where local residents fish and celebrate outdoors throughout the year. These waterways remain central to how communities in the region spend their leisure time.

Visitors can access recreational areas at the dams and view the system's structures from walking paths. The best time to visit is outside the hottest summer months when conditions are most comfortable.

Cataract Dam was the first major project in Australia to use pre-cast concrete blocks for the dam face. This approach became a model for water infrastructure construction across the continent.

Location: New South Wales

GPS coordinates: -34.36667,150.76111

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28