Hume Dam

MDBA Asset

Water Storage Levels

Last Updated 10/11/2024
Current Volume 1716213
% of Capacity 57.11
Capacity (ML) 3005157
71.7%
73.9%
67.7%
59.6%
57.1%
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Recreational Facilities

Large Grassed Area Car Parking Boat Ramp Fishing Camping BBQ - Electric Toilets

Facts & Figures

Name Hume Dam
Stream Murray River
Year of Completion 1936
Construction Concrete and Earthfill
Full Supply Level 192.0 m AHD
Capacity 3,005,157 ML
Area Submerged 20,019 ha
Main Embankment Length 1,616 m
Main Embankment Height 51 m
Hydro-electric Generation 60 MW

About Hume Dam 

Hume Dam Wall
Hume Dam

Hume Dam is jointly managed by Victorian and New South Wales authorities on behalf of the MDBA. Goulburn-Murray Water manages water and land located in Victoria, and WaterNSW is responsible for day-to-day operation and maintenance and the management of major remedial works.

Location

Hume Dam is located immediately downstream of the Murray River and Mitta Mitta River confluence, 16 kilometres east of Albury-Wodonga. The dam is 305 km from the mountain source and 2,225 km from the Murray mouth at Goolwa.

History

The construction of the Hume Dam commenced on 28 November 1919 and was completed in 1936. The construction site was initially referred to as ‘the Mitta Mitta Dam site', but in February 1920 the River Murray Commission adopted the name ‘Hume Reservoir' to honour Hamilton Hume, who was one of the first Europeans to see and cross the River Murray.

Operations

Hume Dam is the major operating storage of the River Murray system. The storage regulates the River Murray, and re-regulates water discharged from the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.

Releases from Hume Dam and downstream tributary streams supply irrigation, domestic and stock and urban demands to Victoria and New South Wales, and provide about one-third of South Australia's entitlement. In very dry years, releases are made specifically for South Australian requirements and are supplemented by transfers from Dartmouth Dam.

Hume Dam follows an annual cycle of filling and drawdown. The storage usually receives inflows during winter and fills by the end of spring each year. Releases generally occur between December and May, with Hume Dam regularly drawn down to less than half of capacity by the end of autumn.

 

Recreation and Tourism at Hume Dam

Facilities Available

Large Grassed Area Large Grassed Area
Car Parking Car Parking
Boat Ramp Boat Ramp
Fishing Fishing
Camping Camping
BBQ - Electric BBQ - Electric
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

In November 2007, new boating zones were implemented for the Victorian waters of Lake Hume.  These changes simplify the zoning rules for the lake and improve public safety and access to the lake at low levels.   The changes have been introduced following extensive consultation with affected stakeholders over a period of many months.  More information can be obtained using the following links:

Recreational Boating Guide Lake Hume, PDF

Frequently Asked Questions - Lake Hume Boating Zones, PDF, opens in a new window

Marine Safety Victoria

Visitors are reminded that there is a risk of vessels colliding with submerged objects or running aground.  All boat operators are therefore asked to exercise great caution and to be aware of and adhere to all safety restrictions.

No boating restrictions apply at Lake Hume while water levels are at or above 169.499 mAHD.  Below this level, 5 knot restrictions in the waters south of Bethanga Bridge and north of an east-west line extending from the southern end of the Hume Dam embankment apply.  Normal boating operations apply in other areas. 

Boat ramp operating levels

This table shows at what level boat ramps at Lake Hume can be used. The percentage indicates the lowest the storage can get before the ramp becomes unusable.
Boat ramp Operational when storage is above
Tallangatta 51%
Huon 20%
Ebden - high level 42%
Ebden - mid level 35%
Kookaburra Point - north ramp 29%
Kookaburra Point - south ramp 45%
Hume Weir Park 47%
Kurrajong (Bulko Reserve) 6%
Lake Hume Resort 8%
Bowna Waters - high level 31%
Bowna Waters - low level 15%

Information on blue-green algae

Information on the blue-green algae status of Hume Dam can be found at the Water NSW website

Caravan parks, camping grounds and accommodation

For information on local camping grounds, caravan parks and accommodation, please contact the local tourist information centre.

Please note: Camping at Ludlow's Reserve is limited to 24 hours.