Hume Dam

MDBA Asset

Water Storage Levels

Last Updated 25/09/2025
Current Volume 1706608
Current AHD 184.45
% of Capacity 56.79
Capacity (ML) 3005157
27.6%
38.5%
46.0%
52.6%
56.8%
May Jun Jul Aug Sep

About Lake Hume (Hume Dam)

Lake Hume, formed by the Hume Dam, is located approximately 16 km east of Albury-Wodonga and is immediately downstream of the confluence of the Murray River and Mitta Mitta River. The lake is surrounded by the small towns of Tallangatta, Bonegilla, and Bellbridge, borders the River Murray Reserve and is near Mount Granya and Mount Lawson State Parks.

Hume Dam is jointly managed by Victorian and New South Wales authorities on behalf of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) 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. 

History

Construction of the 51 m high and 1,616 m long embankment took 17 years and was completed in 1936. Modifications were made between 1950 and 1961 to achieve the current storage capacity. Structural improvements were made in the 1980s and 1990s, with further improvements in 2010.

Operations

Lake Hume has a capacity of 3,005,157 ML when full and is a major operating storage in the River Murray system. Water releases are supplied to meet irrigation, domestic, stock, urban and environmental water demands in Victoria and New South Wales and further downstream in South Australia.

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.

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.

 

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

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.

Further Information

Lake Hume offers a range of recreational benefits, including opportunities for water skiing, fishing, boating, sailing, walking, and cycling. Boats can be launched from several locations around the storage, most of which are on the Victorian side of the border.

GMW maintain public boat ramps around the lake and a caravan park in Tallangatta. All facilities within GMW’s recreational areas are managed in conjunction with the relevant council (Rural City of Wodonga, Towong Shire and Indigo Shire).

There are sites around the perimeter of Lake Hume occupied under leases, such as boating and fishing clubs that also manage facilities within their lease agreement. Public access may be restricted, or conditions applied in areas that are under an occupation agreement subject to the terms of that agreement.


 , opens in a new wind Marine Safety Victori 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. 

Recreational Area Map

Lake Hume Recreational Area Map

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%

For your safety and that of others all boating is subject to State regulations. Just like the road laws you must know these boating laws and can be fined for breaches. A few key points:

  • Registration - all power boats (with some exceptions for low powered vessels in NSW) require registration.
  • Safety equipment is compulsory.
  • Even where speed limits are not marked, distance-off regulations apply whenever you are within set distances from the shoreline, other boats, swimmers, anglers, structures and so on.
  • Special regulations apply to water skiing - in particular a proper observer is compulsory and skiing after dark is prohibited.
  • Refer to relevant State boating regulations for more information.

Marine Safety Victoria 

Lake Hume is divided at the Bethanga Bridge between Victoria and NSW for boating only. All vessels south of the Bethanga Bridge are operating in Victorian waters. All vessels north of the south part of the Bethanga Bridge are operating in NSW waters. Reciprocal licencing, registration and safety equipment regulations apply between both states.

Victorian Waters

A boat licence is required for any person operating a powered vessel in Victorian waters regardless of the speed of the vessel. A PWC licence is required to operate a personal water craft in either state. For further information regarding boating regulations/licensing contact either NSW Maritime or Transport Safety Victoria.

New South Wales Waters 

If you wish to drive a power boat on NSW waters at a speed of 10 knots or greater you must have a current NSW boating licence. If you wish to drive a Personal Water Craft (PWC) such as a Jet Ski or Wave Rider you must have a current NSW Personal Water Craft Licence, regardless of the speed you travel at. In NSW a PWC can only operate between sunrise and sunset.

A  Victorian fishing licence is required to fish in Lake Hume. Victorian fishing regulations apply to the entire lake up to Seven Mile Creek at Talmalmo. To report fishing offenses please contact, Victorian Fisheries on 13 FISH (133474).

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

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.

The Lake Hume Recreational Area Management Plan (the plan) provides operational guidelines for managing recreational activities at Lake Hume while minimising impacts on water quality, the environment, cultural heritage values, and GMW assets and operations.

Lake Hume Recreational Area Management Plan

Hume Dam Wall
Hume Dam