Split Rock Dam

Located in the north-western slopes region of New South Wales, Australia, Split Rock Dam is a minor ungated concrete faced rock fill embankment dam with a concrete chute spillway across the Manilla River.

The dam's purpose includes flood mitigation, irrigation, water supply, and conservation for the towns in the Namoi Valley, including Manilla and Barraba. Together with Keepit Dam, Split Rock Dam supplies vast amounts of irrigation water in the Namoi Valley and generates hydro-power for the national grid. The dam wall is constructed using 1,048 cubic meters of concrete faced rock fill, measuring 66 meters in height and 484 meters in length. The maximum water depth of Split Rock Reservoir created by the dam is 52 meters, and at 100% capacity, the dam wall holds back 397,370 megaliters of water at 449 meters AHD. The concrete chute spillway can discharge 6,860 cubic meters per second, and the surface area of Split Rock Reservoir is 2,150 hectares. The catchment area of the reservoir is 1,650 square kilometers primarily from the Upper Manilla and Ironbark Creeks, Crow Mountain, Eumur Creeks, and small creeks and gullies.

The reservoir has designated recreational areas and activities, including camping grounds and facilities for launching ski boats and sailing boats. Visitors will find convenient access to on-site toilets, BBQ areas, picnic benches, and a boat ramp. As for fishing enthusiasts, the reservoir is abundant with Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish, and carp. On the reservoir's northern shore, visitors