Commenced in 1984, completed in 1987, and upgraded in 2012, the Split Rock Dam is a minor dam on the Manilla River, located approximately upstream, north of Manilla and north of Tamworth, accessed by a turnoff from Fossickers Way. The dam was built by Abignano Pty Limited on behalf of the New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation to supply water for irrigation, flood mitigation and potable water for towns in the Namoi Valley, including Manilla and Barraba. Together with Keepit Dam, Split Rock Dam supplies extensive irrigation water in the Namoi Valley. The dams also supply water for the town of Walgett and generates hydro-power for the national grid. The dam wall constructed with of concrete faced rockfill is high and long. The maximum water depth is and at 100% capacity the dam wall holds back of water at AHD. The surface area of Split Rock Reservoir is and the catchment area is, mostly from the Upper Manilla and Ironbark Creeks plus small creeks and gullies, too, including Crow Mountain and Eumur Creeks. The concrete chute spillway is capable of discharging. An 8.1 million upgrade of facilities was completed during 2012 and involved construction of a new, high, concrete parapet wall on the embankment. At the time of its initial construction in 1987, Split Rock Dam incorporated the latest dam technology with an intake tower that can select water from any specified depth. This ensures that cold, de-oxygenated water from lower levels is mixed with water that contains more oxygen from the warmer layers above, before it leaves the storage. In 2013, Tamworth Regional Councilannounced a project to construct a pipeline from Split Rock Dam to Barraba to ensure local residents have access to a quality water supply would proceed. Additional project infrastructure includes a pumping station near the dam, a pressure tank, and upgrades to Barrabra water treatment plant. The dam is named after a fissure in a large rock near the dam site.
Recreation
The reservoir has recreational opportunities including camping areas and facilities for launching ski boats and sailing boats. There are toilet, barbecue, picnic, and camping facilities as well as a boat ramp. Boat access is restricted near the dam wall. The reservoir contains fish species such as Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish and carp. On the reservoir's northern shore is Glen Riddle Recreation Reserve, a nature reserve with toilets, picnic and camping facilities.
