Commenced in August 1976 and completed in September 1979, the Chaffey Dam is a minor dam on the Peel River, a tributary of the
Namoi River, approximately north of
Nundle and south-east of Tamworth. Water from the dam is released directly into the Peel River which is used by irrigators downstream of the dam, and for water supply of the city of Tamworth. The dam wall comprises of rock fill is high and is long. The maximum water depth is and at 100% capacity the dam wall holds back of water at
AHD. The surface area of the reservoir is and the catchment area is . The dam uses an unusual concrete
morning glory bell-shaped uncontrolled spillway which is capable of discharging . The spillway measures in diameter and tapers down to . The spillway tower is high. Chaffey Dam provides valuable public recreation including swimming, sailing, boating and fishing. A second stage A$43.33 million augmentation commenced in 2013, funded by the
Australian Government, the NSW Government and
Tamworth Regional Council. This augmentation is expected to be completed during 2014 and involves raising the dam wall by and subsequent works to raise the
morning glory spillway and bridge deck. These works will increase the full supply level of the dam by , the dam's capacity from to and ensure it can withstand the maximum possible flood. The project also involves a realignment of roads on the western foreshore; the Tamworth-Nundle Road, and River Road.
Etymology The dam is named in honor of
Frank Chaffey, who represented
Tamworth in the
New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1913 and 1940, and his son, Bill Nye ==Gallery==