Lake Jindabyne

Lake Jindabyne
Lake Jindabyne, December 2024
Lake Jindabyne
Lake Jindabyne
Coordinates36°23′S 148°38′E / 36.383°S 148.633°E / -36.383; 148.633
TypeMan-made dammed reservoir
Primary inflows
Primary outflowsSnowy River
Catchment area1,880 km2 (730 sq mi)
Basin countriesAustralia
Managing agencySnowy Hydro
First flooded1967
Max. depth40 metres (130 ft)
Surface elevation930 m (3,050 ft)
FrozenSometimes during winter
SettlementsJindabyne

Lake Jindabyne is a man-made reservoir in the south-east Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. Created by Jindabyne Dam, it serves for the Snowy Mountains Scheme, acting as a reservoir to redirect waters from the Snowy River to the Murray River, for hydro-power generation and irrigation, as well as a water supply. The dam impounding the lake, the Jindabyne Dam, is located approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) southwest of Canberra, the nation's capital.

Lake Jindabyne receives the flow from the Snowy River as well as its tributaries, the Thredbo River and Eucumbene River. Smaller inflows include Cobbin Creek, Rushes Creek and Wollondibby Creek. The flow of water into Lake Jindabyne is particularly strong during the spring months of October and November due to snow melt.