Cataract is the oldest and possibly the most picturesque dam in Sydney's water supply system. Completed in 1907, the 56 metre high dam holds water from a 130 square kilometre catchment, forming an 850 hectare lake with a capacity of 94,300 megalitres.

The dams of the Upper Nepean collect water from the catchments of the Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean rivers, which are tributaries of the Upper Hawkesbury-Nepean River. These systems supply water to the Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney.

Facilities include picnic shelters, electric barbecues, drinking water, toilets, disabled toilets, playground and viewing areas.