Karangi Dam is located about 15km west of Coffs Harbour CBD and can hold up to 5,600 megalitres of water (one Olympic swimming pool holds 1 megalitre.)
The purpose of Karangi Dam is to store sufficient water so that:
- During high flow periods the dam is filled from the Orara River or the Nymboida River.
- In dry periods, when there is low flow in the Orara River or the Nymboida River, stored water will be supplied from the dam. This is to protect the river ecology.
- When the water from the Orara River or Nymboida River becomes excessively dirty (turbid) during flood times, water need not be pumped.
Background
Karangi Dam was built in 1980 to service the residents of Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and the coastal strip north of Coffs Harbour, including Woolgoolga. It was originally designed to store 2,200 Megalitres (1 Megalitre equals 1 million litres) of water pumped from Cochranes Pool on the Orara River.
Due to a growing population and water demand in this region, in 1988, the Department of Public Works & Services raised the dam by adding a 1.5 metre high Labyrinth Weir to the existing spillway & an extra 1 metre to the top of the dam. This increased the capacity to 2,630 megalitres.
After many years of water restrictions it was decided to raise Karangi Dam a further 10 metres in 1994, as an emergency measure, until a Regional Water Supply Scheme was finalised. Raising the dam increased it's capacity to the current day 5,600 megalitres.
More Information
Karangi Dam Construction
Visit Karangi Dam
Current water level in Karangi Dam