Manly Dam, Heritage dam in New South Wales, Australia.

Manly Dam is a freshwater reservoir in Manly Vale, a suburb on the northern side of Sydney, formed by a concrete dam wall across Curl Curl Creek. The site includes the dam structure itself and a surrounding reserve with walking and cycling tracks through native bushland.

The dam was built in the 1890s to supply drinking water to the growing communities on Sydney's northern shore. Over time it was taken out of active water supply use and eventually added to the State Heritage Register.

On weekends, locals come here to walk, cycle, or simply sit by the water in the bushland setting just outside Sydney. The place has the feel of a neighbourhood escape rather than a tourist destination, which gives it a relaxed, everyday character.

The reserve is open to walkers and cyclists, and most of the tracks are easy to follow, though some bush sections can be uneven underfoot. Fishing is permitted in designated spots, so it is worth checking local rules before heading out with a rod.

The dam wall was strengthened between 1979 and 1981 by sinking long vertical steel tendons into the rock foundations, left free within the wall itself so loads could be monitored and adjusted. Sydney Water engineers presented the method at the 14th Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams in Rio de Janeiro in 1982, where it gained world recognition.