Commenced in 1939, with construction halted during
World War II, and completed in 1960, the Keepit Dam is a major dam on the Namoi River, located approximately west of
Tamworth and north-east of
Gunnedah, upstream of the
confluence of the Namoi and Peel rivers. The dam was built by the New South Wales Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission to supply water for irrigation, flood mitigation and
potable water for the town of
Walgett. The dam wall height is 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 Lake Keepit is and the catchment area is . The central gated overflow crest and six radial gates of the spillway are capable of discharging . Keepit Dam is operated in conjunction with
Split Rock Dam. The two dams supply water requirements along much of the Namoi Valley, used for irrigation including
cotton, cereal and wheat crops, lucerne, fodder and pasture, vegetables, vines, orchards and oil seeds. ==Etymology==