Talbingo Dam - NSW

Highest dam wall at 161.5 m of the 16 large dams in the Snowy Scheme. But only the third largest gross capacity of 920 gigalitres as the Tumut River valley, while being long is quite narrow, constraining further storage. For 50 years since completion in 1970, it has had an operating range of 9 m giving an active capacity of 160 GL. This water has a rated head of 150 m above the turbines in Tumut 3 Power Station. Classed as a rockfill dam with a central impervious clay core flanked by zones of sand filters and an external cover of blocks of rock known as rip rap.In the future it will also provide pumped storage back to Tantangara Reservoir against a head of nearly 700 m when Snowy 2.0 comes on line in late 2027. This same head will provide 2200 MW of power for peak loads and when solar panels and wind turbines are unable to operate.Summertime - enjoy water skiing and seasonal fishing. Scenic drives to nearby Buddong Falls and Batlow. Just a few minutes drive from the small village of Talbingo on the shores of Jounama Pondage.