If you’re visiting Warren Reservoir Reserve over the next couple of weeks, please be aware that from Wednesday 10 February, access via the southern entrance will only be available on weekends, while we upgrade the access road and visitor facilities. 

The main northern entrance, as well as the reserve and reservoir, will remain open during the construction period, for all of the usual adventure and activities.

Before visiting, please check the conditions of access.

Walking/running

There are two trails within the reservoir reserve to experience: the 5.5km West Warren loop and the 8.8km North Warren Loop. The unsealed trail is suitable for walking and running and each trail provides a great Australian bush experience with water views.

The West Warren Loop also forms part of a link trail to South Para Reservoir Reserve, over a total 4.5km trail, while the North Warren Loop walk links in to more than 20km of trails to take hikers through Mt Crawford Forest, adjacent South Para Reservoir and on to Para Wirra Conservation Park. Some hiking experience and planning for the longer journeys, connecting to campsites, is recommended.

Fishing

With a fishing permit, you can drop a line in the from the shoreline in the fishing zone or on the water from a kayak or canoe.

The reservoir is stocked with Murray cod (catch and release), golden perch and silver perch. Fishing limits are detailed on PIRSA's website.

Cycling

The 5.5km West Warren loop and the 8.8km North Warren loop are shared use trails for cyclists and walkers. The unsealed trail is more suited to mountain bikes. Please be considerate of other trail users.

Kayaking/canoeing

There are two launch areas at Warren for kayaking and canoeing. Take in the surrounding landscape from the water. With a fishing permit, you can also drop a line from your kayak or canoe. Please note, there are no lifesaving services or resources at Warren Reservoir.

Dam wall lookout

A short walk from the western car park is a vantage point to view the dam wall and reservoir.

Picnicking

There are three picnic areas for you to enjoy, one is fully accessible and one has toilet facilities. In addition, there are several picnic areas along the two trails so you can pack a picnic basket and take a break to sit back, relax and enjoy the serenity. See the site map for details.

Dogs are not welcome at reservoir reserves as they can carry harmful organisms that can easily contaminate the water and they pose a threat to local native birds and wildlife. Assistance animals are accepted.

Blue-green algae

Algae occur naturally in reservoirs and occasionally algal blooms can occur. This is more likely in the warmer months of the year, and they are not always visible.

Regular testing is undertaken as part of SA Water’s routine water quality monitoring. During a blue-green algal bloom, water treatment is adjusted to ensure the continued supply of safe, clean drinking water for customers.

Some blue-green algae produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals. Contact with the untreated water in the reservoir when high levels of blue-green algae are present can be harmful to your health.

When blue-green algae levels are extreme, reservoirs are closed to all activities that involve contact with the water, including fishing and kayaking/canoeing.

Signage on site will be updated and specific access and closure details are available on each reservoir page on this site.

To find out more, read SA Health’s information about blue-green algae health impacts and how to avoid illness.

Click map below for a print-friendly version.

Extended trail network

Click here for a print friendly version of the northern extended trail network at South Para and Warren Reservoir Reserves

Click her for a print friendly version of the southern extended trail network at South Para and Warren Reservoir Reserves

Capacity: 4.7 gigalitres (one gigalitre is one billion litres), that will fill about 2,300 Olympic swimming pools

Constructed: 1914-1916

Warren Reservoir was built during World War One with a number of workers given a leave of absence to join the armed forces.

It was built to ensure water supply to the local area. When the natural springs supplying Eudunda dried up every summer, Warren Reservoir was built to ensure a reliable water supply for the local area.

The construction project supervisor Edgar Bradley was given a new Model 'T' Ford, at a cost of $444, so he could drive between Warren and Millbrook, where he was also supervising dam works. Edgar learnt to drive so he could make the 30 km journey between the two reservoirs in just one hour. The trip by horse and buggy had taken more than two.

You can check current reservoir levels at SA Water’s website.

Warren Reservoir mystery

There is a time capsule cast into the door lintel of the valve house built in 1926 including  a bottle of wine, some coins and a newspaper. Sorry, not accessible to visitors.

Warren Reservoir is one of 16 across South Australia.

Treating drinking water before it’s supplied to people’s homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more, is important to make sure it is clean and safe to drink straight from the tap. You can learn how SA Water treats water and maintains the quality its customers value and rely upon.

Warren Reservoir is not currently used to directly supply drinking water.