Cairn Curran Reservoir

Water Storage Levels

Last Updated 27/03/2024
Current Volume 112484
% of Capacity 76.45
Capacity (ML) 147130
86.6%
87.1%
88.1%
84.7%
76.5%
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Recreational Facilities

Large Grassed Area Car Parking Boat Ramp Fishing Camping Playground Equipment Toilets

Facts & Figures

Name Cairn Curran Reservoir
Stream Loddon River
Year of Completion 1956
Construction Earth and Rockfill
Full Supply Level 208.46 m AHD
Capacity 147,130 ML
Area Submerged 1,943 ha
Main Embankment Length 656 m
Main Embankment Height 44 m
Hydro-electric Generation 2.0 MW

News and announcements

Current Cairn Curran Reservoir alerts

Managing water levels at Cairn Curran Reservoir

Monday 5 February 2024
Information about managing the storage level at Cairn Curran Reservoir.

There is currently a blue-green algae warning for Cairn Curran Reservoir. Click here for more information.

Cairn Curran Embankment Closure

GMW is required to manage the safety of the public when they visit the Cairn Curran embankment area, and the ongoing safe operation and maintenance of the storage assets including the embankment, spillway and tower, while also continuing to provide a duty of care to GMW staff while they are at work. To ensure this is achieved, GMW has implemented a public exclusion zone on the embankment immediately adjacent to the spillway at Cairn Curran Reservoir and a permanent fence has been installed.

The existing sealed road linking Cairn Curran Road to the Spillway Reserve will remain open for vehicles and pedestrians at designated times, to allow public access to the monument and spillway reserve.

Public access is being trialled from 6am to 8.30am and 4.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, in daylight hours. Please note this area may be closed during maintenance.

GMW acknowledges that this is a significant change for local residents and visitors and is committed to working with them to develop a suitable outcome that not only meets GMW’s safety and operational requirements but also continues to delivers a functional recreational space for visitors.

For more information on the embankment closure and community engagement, please head to  Cairn Curran embankment closure webpage, opens in a new window.

About Cairn Curran Reservoir

Cairn Curran
Cairn Curran

Location

Cairn Curran Reservoir is located on the Loddon River, about 10 km west of Maldon.

History 

Cairn Curran Reservoir was constructed between 1947 and 1956. The storage has a primary spillway, and a secondary spillway situated 2 km south‑west of the main structure that will spill before the embankment is overtopped.

Operations

Cairn Curran Reservoir was constructed to supply water for irrigation and domestic and stock use to customers along the Loddon River.

Supplements to the Goulburn supply system are available when resources are abundant.

 

Recreation and Tourism at Cairn Curran Reservoir

Facilities Available

Large Grassed Area Large Grassed Area
Car Parking Car Parking
Boat Ramp Boat Ramp
Playground Equipment Playground Equipment
Fishing Fishing
Camping Camping
Toilets Toilets
Please observe all signs and directions around our storages for information on recreational activities. Refer to the Land and On-Water Management Plan (if provided above) for detailed information on the facilities available.

Further Information

A wide range of recreational activities are permitted at Cairn Curran Reservoir.  These include boating (power and sail), skiing, fishing, wind surfing, jet skiing and canoeing.

The recreational facilities available include picnic areas, toilet facilities, boat ramps, electric and wood barbeques, rubbish bins and shelters.  There are two Caravan Parks that rely on this storage for their patronage.

Operating levels have been introduced at Cairn Curran Reservoir that best reflect the need to adjust the boat zoning rules as required in the interests of public safety.

Operating levels

The operating levels are as follows:

Click on a map to open a larger version

Operating level 1        

When the storage level is above 200.00mAHD (28% capacity) normal boat zoning rules apply.

Cairn Curran Boating guide Level 2, link opens in a new window

Operating level 2

When the storage level is between 199.99 mAHD (28% capacity) and 196.00mAHD (13% capacity) the following rules will apply:

  • All operators must observe all the buoyed boating zones
  • Operation of all vessels at a speed above five knots is restricted to the open waters known as Tower Bay.

  Cairn Curran Boating guide Level 2, link opens in a new window

Operating level 3

When the storage level falls below 196.00mAHD (13% capacity) the reservoir will be closed to all vessels operating at a speed in excess of five knots.

Cairn Curran Boating guide Level 3, link opens in a new window

Boat ramp operating levels

This table shows at what level boat ramps at Cairn Curran can be used. The percentage indicates the lowest the storage can get before the ramp becomes unusable.
Boat ramp Operational when storage is above
Woolshed Bay North 26.7%
Woolshed Bay South 33.3%
Tower Bay 2%
Picnic Point 20.9%
Weslhmans Reef 48.3%

Cairn Curran Recreation Guide and Map, PDF

Cairn Curran Recreation Guide Cover

All visitors are asked to be aware of the dangers associated with low water levels and exercise caution.

All recreation areas and toilet facilities are accessible to the public, except the Spillway recreation area, which has no water.  As the season progresses, it may become increasingly difficult to provide access to recreation areas and toilet facilities if we are unable to supply water to them.

For more information on Cairn Curran Reservoir please  call the information line on (03) 5475 3900.