Cordeaux Dam
Constructed between 1918 and 1926, Cordeaux Dam provides water to Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney.
Egyptian-Style gateways and housings on the dam wall enhance the appearance of the structure and reflect the time of construction, as many Australian soldiers served in Egypt during World War One.
Cordeaux Dam was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in November 1999, because of the architectural, social and engineering values. Not only does it supply water, but it has great historical and current social value.
How to Get There
Located 90 minutes from Sydney and 30 minutes from Wollongong, it is a nice place to stop on your way to Picton Road. From the entrance, follow the road to the upper car park, where you can stop, or continue to the lower park and the dam wall. Shelters and seats at both locations provide shade and great picnic areas as well as toilet facilities.
The Dam
After Parking at the lower level, we walked across the dam wall, which let us see the architecture up close. Walking the length of the wall enabled us to see the spillway and the housings in detail. Brass plaques on the housings and gateways provide details on the dam, which informs visitors about its construction.
Specifications for Cordeaux Dam:
- Total capacity: 9.364×10−5 billion gigalitres; 24,736 billion US gallons (20,597×109 imp gal).
- Greatest depth of water: 52 metres (170 ft).
- Greatest height of wall: 58 metres (191 ft) (above foundations).
- Length of crest including pylons: 404 metres (1,327 ft).
- Area of lake: 781 hectares (1,931 acres) (when full).
- Top water level 304 metres (996 ft) AHD .
- Completed in 1926.
- Cost: A£945,000 ($1,908,000).
- Concrete in wall: 215,176 cubic metres (281,440 cu yd).
- Length of spillway weir: 152 metres (500 ft).
- Width of crest: 5 metres (16.5 ft).
- Width of base: 46 metres (150 ft).
Dam Grounds Opening Times
- 10 am to 5 pm daily
- Extended hours, 10 am to 7 pm, on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving time
- Entry is free
- Entry is not permitted 15 minutes prior to closing time
- Before travelling check that the dam is not undergoing maintenance and closed
Upstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam 
Downstream Wall of Cordeaux Dam 
Roadway at the Top of the Dam Wall 
Plaque of the Dam’s Specifications
What Did We Think?
We though it was a great place to stop on our trip to Jervis Bay, because the dam wall is interesting and the picnic tables and shade areas are well set up.
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