Protected and Special Areas
Protected and Special Areas

Access a detailed map of the Special Areas. This map includes comprehensive information about the restrictions that apply in the Special Areas.
To see the Special Area boundaries in relation to the broader drinking water catchment, view the interactive map below. Special Areas and Controlled Areas can be selected or removed by ticking the boxes to the right of the map. The coloured shading overlays the boundaries of these areas on the drinking water catchment outline.
The Special Areas cover approximately 364,000 hectares of mostly unspoilt native bushland around the water storages and infrastructure that supply Sydney, the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions.
Public access and activities are restricted to protect water quality in these areas.
The majority of the Special Areas are off-limits or restricted to the general public. They are divided into three protection zones with different restrictions to what you can and can't do:
These areas include the water storages and surrounding land with the exception of Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and part of Lake Yarrunga, which are classed as restricted entry.
- Controlled Areas - no entry
These areas include the land at Warragamba protecting the water supply infrastructure and the land along the Warragamba Pipelines and Upper Canal.
- Special Areas - restricted entry
These areas include the water storages and surrounding land of Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and part of Lake Yarrunga, and the second protection zone around Lake Burragorang. Vehicles (including motorcycles and bicycles), horses, pets, powered watercraft and firearms are not allowed.
Restrictions do not apply to privately owned land and public roads within the Special Areas.
Catchment Areas Map
Catchment map
Filter results below.Restricted/Special Areas
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Dams and Reservoirs
WaterNSW manages the following dams and recreational areas. Listed here are the facilities and restrictions at each site. For full details, click on the individual dam or recreational area.
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