On-water access at Warren Reservoir, including for fishing and kayaking, is temporarily closed for visitors until September 2023, to enable the reservoir’s gradual emptying and native fish relocation as part of SA Water’s upgrade of the dam’s intake and scour valves.
In addition, public access to the western section of the reserve also remains closed during this period.
While these closures are in place, visitors will still be able to explore the reserve’s eastern nine-kilometre trail loop which is suitable for cycling, running and walking. You can access this area via the southern car park, with nearby amenities remaining open.
Go to reservoirs.sa.gov.au for details on other reservoir reserves open around the state to enjoy, explore and preserve in the meantime.
A short drive south east of Williamstown in the Barossa Valley is Warren Reservoir Reserve. Here you can explore by foot or mountain bike along two trails, or bring your kayak and paddle the waters. You can also enjoy a relaxing afternoon sharing a picnic with family and friends or plan a longer walk to connect to South Para Reservoir Reserve and Williamstown or through Mount Crawford Forest and on to Para Wirra Conservation Park.
The flora graphic used here for Warren includes Flame Heath (Astroloma conostephioides), Heath Tea Tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides) and Native Currant (Acrotriche depressa).
At a Glance
On-water access, along with the western trail loop and northern car park, are temporarily closed until September 2023.
Open sunrise-sunset daily. Closed on Total Fire Ban Days and for operational activity (gates will be closed).
Two loop trails within the reservoir reserve offer great bushwalking experiences. The 5.5km Western Loop and the 9km Eastern Loop are both unsealed, suitable for walking and running, and they offer water views.
The Western Loop also forms part of a link trail to South Para Reservoir Reserve, over a total 7km trail, while the Eastern Loop links in to more than 20km of trails to take hikers through Mt Crawford Forest, adjacent South Para Reservoir Reserve and on to Para Wirra Conservation Park. Some hiking experience and planning for the longer journeys, connecting to campsites, is recommended.
With a fishing permit, you can drop a line in the from the shoreline in the public access area 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 Western Loop stretches along the reservoir shore and around the reserve’s bushland, linking with a trail to South Para Reservoir Reserve, while the 9km Eastern Loop takes you around the eastern section of the reservoir and waterways that feed into it, linking to more than 20km of trails in the region. The unsealed trails are more suited to mountain bikes than road bikes. Both are shared use trails for cyclists and walkers, so please be considerate of other trail users.
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.
There is a wheelchair ramp leading to an all-accessibility kayak facility located at the Tower Entrance. Please note, there is no storage for wheelchairs on or near the launch facility.
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, of which two have toilet facilities and are fully accessible for people with limited mobility. 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 is a common occurrence in open water sources, including reservoirs and the River Murray, especially during warmer months of the year when conditions are favourable for growth.
SA Water samplers, operators and scientists actively monitor and test the source water and connecting water networks during these times and adjust treatment processes as needed. This ensures they continue to supply safe, clean drinking water to their customers.
Some blue-green algae species produce compounds which can be harmful to humans and animals. Contact with untreated water in a reservoir where algae are present can be harmful to your health.
When blue-green algae levels are increasing, and related water treatment or algal management activities are being conducted, the site will be closed to visitors until 1pm that day. There will be clear signage at the entrance and on this website page.
Use the free Avenza app to navigate around the reservoir reserve, record your GPS tracks or enjoy other features. Download the map to your mobile device and you can access it even without mobile coverage.
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.
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.
Water Quality
Warren Reservoir is one of 16 across South Australia.
Treating drinking water before it’s supplied to 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.
At a Glance
On-water access, along with the western trail loop and northern car park, are temporarily closed until September 2023.
Open sunrise-sunset daily. Closed on Total Fire Ban Days and for operational activity (gates will be closed).
Kayaking/canoeing
Capacity: 4.7 gigalitres (one gigalitre is one billion litres), that will fill about 2,300 Olympic swimming pools