Chaffey Dam

Chaffey Dam is a major water supply dam on the Peel River at Bowling Alley Point, about 43 km south-east of Tamworth in New South Wales. Completed in 1979 and enlarged in 2016, it stores water for Tamworth and the Peel Valley. The reservoir and surrounding bushland form a popular regional recreation area for boating, fishing, swimming and camping within the Tamworth Regional Council area.

Visitors can expect a large open reservoir set in dry eucalypt bushland and rolling hills on the Peel River. The foreshore recreation area includes grassed picnic areas, boat ramps, a designated swimming area, and lakeside camping grounds. The dam wall and spillway are visible from viewing areas. Activities centre on water-based recreation, shoreline walks, birdwatching and relaxed lakeside picnicking with views across the water.

Chaffey Dam was constructed between 1976 and 1979 on the Peel River to secure water supply for Tamworth and the Peel Valley. It was named after Frank Chaffey, former Member for Tamworth. A major augmentation completed in 2016 raised the dam wall by 8.4 metres and increased storage capacity from about 62,000 ML to about 100,000 ML, significantly improving water security and flood mitigation.

The dam is a key regional water infrastructure asset and a long-established outdoor recreation destination for the Tamworth community, valued for lakeside camping, fishing and water sports in a rural bushland setting.