The dam then succeeded Winburndale Dam, which had been built in 1934 with an expected life of 20 years as the potable water supply for Bathurst with Winburndale used to supply raw water for park watering and industrial use.
The dam then succeeded Winburndale Dam as the potable-water supply for Bathurst. Since completion of Ben Chifley Dam, Winburndale has been used to supply raw water for park watering and industrial use.