Dams

The Hastings is in the fortunate position to have two off-creek storage dams with a combined storage capacity of 12,500 megalitres (ML) of water.

These storage dams are filled with water pumped from the Hastings River at Koree Island, west of Wauchope.

The smaller of the two, the Port Macquarie Dam, holds 2,500 ML. The Port Dam was completed in 1978 and is located on Ocean Drive in Port Macquarie.

The 10,000 ML Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam is located 5km southeast of Wauchope.

When it is full, the Cowarra Dam will help to ensure a more drought-secure water supply for the Hastings. Ironically, the Cowarra Dam was completed in 2001 during a drought that continued until 2007.

It was built to meet the long-term urban growth demands for water supply. The dam supplies water to Wauchope, Camden Haven and Port Macquarie areas.

In the future, additional storage capacity will be provided by raising the walls of both the Port Macquarie and Cowarra dams.