North Dandalup Dam
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The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
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Constructed in 1994, North Dandalup Dam is the newest dam serving the people of Perth.
Situated 150km south of the city in rolling hills, the dam offers excellent recreation facilities and spectacular coastal views.
Unlike most of the other dams in the Hills Scheme supplying high quality drinking water to the people of Perth, the North Dandalup Dam is a very recent construction.
The $50 million project to dam the North Dandalup River was completed in October 1994. It significantly boosted storage capacity to meet the needs of the city’s growing population.
With a capacity of 75 million cubic metres, it is able to supply about 10% of Perth’s annual water consumption.
As well as the main dam, two earthfill saddle dams, the larger 22 metres and the smaller nine metres high, were built on low lying ridges slightly to the northwest.
The original small pipehead dam, which operated from 1971 until replaced by the larger dam, stills plays a useful role as a recreation lake for visitors. It can be seen just due south of the main dam wall.
North Dandalup Dam was the latest in a dam building program that included the New Victoria and Conjurunup Dams. It was opened by the Premier, Richard Court on 28 October 1994.
Barbecues and picnics
Its attractive setting on the North Dandalup River in the southern reaches of the Darling Range makes this dam a very popular destination.
The recreation lake formed from the former pipehead dam is the focal point for a range of water-based activities including sailing model boats, wading and beach games. The grassed area next to the lake is ideal for picnics with free gas barbecues, toilets and ample parking within easy reach.
Walking and Views
A lookout situated between the two saddle dams slightly to the north offers spectacular views to Mandurah, the Peel Inlet and the Indian Ocean.
Or walk across the old pipehead dam wall for a close up view of activities down below on the recreation lake.
After a winter of heavy rain, the overflow from a spillway carved out of the natural rock is an added spectacle of a day out at North Dandalup Dam.
How to get there
Its attractive setting on the North Dandalup River in the southern reaches of the Darling Range makes this dam a very popular destination.
The recreation lake formed from the former pipehead dam is the focal point for a range of water-based activities including sailing model boats, wading and beach games. The grassed area next to the lake is ideal for picnics with free gas barbecues, toilets and ample parking within easy reach.
The dam is open to visitors until 5pm every day of the week.
Walking and Views
A lookout situated between the two saddle dams slightly to the north offers spectacular views to Mandurah, the Peel Inlet and the Indian Ocean.
Or walk across the old pipehead dam wall for a close up view of activities down below on the recreation lake.
After a winter of heavy rain, the overflow from a spillway carved out of the natural rock is an added spectacle of a day out at North Dandalup Dam.
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Downloads
 | North Dandalup Dam - Download the North Dandalup Dam brochure and Sitemap |
Other dams
North Dandalup Dam is just one of several dams in this area where the Water Corporation has provided facilities for your enjoyment.
Approximately half of Perth’s water supply and most of the water distributed through the Goldfields and Agricultural System now comes from catchments in the Darling Range. These supply water of very high quality at a low cost to the community.
Your safety & the security of our water services
For your own safety when visiting our sites please ensure that you confine your movements to the signed and formed pathways, roads and recreational areas. Please recognise that there are uneven surfaces and walking hazards which may exist in the area due to the nature of its design and construction, and exercise caution at all times when moving about the area.
Please do:
- Follow and comply with all directional and informational signs.
- Always monitor the whereabouts of children as they explore the site.
- Report all safety hazards to the onsite Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
- Report all unsafe, criminal or suspicious behaviour to the Ranger, Staff or 13 13 75 (all hours)
Please do not:
- Climb walls, fences or bridges.
- Climb on pipework or other operational infrastructure.
- Deface safety and security signs.
- Trespass into signposted operational and "No Entry" areas.
- Attempt to operate operational taps, valves or controls.
- Block emergency and operational access gates and roadways with vehicles.
- Bring your pet, as domestic animals are prohibited from all drinking water catchments.
