Rivers
Rivers transport water into catchment areas such as dams.
The quality of the water entering our water supply system depends on the health of our rivers. This is in turn affected by human activities.
Recreation, agriculture, soil erosion and industry on or near rivers impact the health of our rivers. We need to use our river environments responsibly and care for them to ensure we continue to have a quality water supply.
ACT rivers and catchments
Photo of the Corin dam
The ACT draws its water supply from two separate catchment systems:
- The Cotter River catchment. Wholly within the ACT, the Cotter River catchment was the first to be developed and is part of the Namadgi National Park
- The Googong system, which was developed on the Queanbeyan River in NSW.
Three dams have been built on the Cotter River, and one has been built on the Queanbeyan River.
Water from the Cotter River flows into Corin, Bendora and Cotter Dams.
Water from the Queanbeyan River flows into Googong Dam.
Both these rivers are tributaries of the Murrumbidgee River.