This always was, and always will be, Taungurung land
Long before the dam, this was — and is — the Country of the Taungurung people, whose connection to these rivers and ranges spans tens of thousands of years. We acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Acknowledgement of Country →
Seven hotels and a river of gold
In the 1860s, gold drew thousands into these valleys. Jamieson alone boasted seven hotels at its peak. The diggings faded, but the stone cottages and cemeteries remain — and you can still fossick the rivers today.
Built twice — and it drowned a town
The original Sugarloaf Reservoir (1915–1929) held about 306,000 ML. It wasn't enough. Between 1951 and 1956, Utah Construction and around 4,000 workers built the wall we know today — and the rising water swallowed the gold-rush town of Darlingford, seven hotels and all.
The workers lived in a purpose-built township of 300 prefabricated English houses, shipped out in 14 different styles. Many still stand in Eildon today.
From 5% to full again
The Millennium Drought dropped the lake to just 5.3% in 2006–07 — the old foundations of Darlingford surfaced from the mud.
In October 2022 it hit 100.3% — the first time the lake had filled since 1994.
