Blowering Dam is one of the biggest dams in NSW, three times the size of Sydney Harbour. The dam stores water which has been released upstream for electricity generation in the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme and then releases for agriculture in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. It also supplies water to landowners and towns along the Tumut and Murrumbidgee Rivers.

Blowering Dam is famous as the site of the 1978 world water-speed record, and is a popular spot for all water sports. There are camping grounds around the lake's foreshore and the dam is stocked with various fish species.

The access road to the dam is 35 minutes south of Tumut by car. The nearest town is Talbingo, 10 minutes away, with accommodation, fuel and pub available. Secluded camping spots on the western foreshore of Blowering Dam are part of the Bago State Forest. The Pines campground on the eastern foreshore of the reservoir is part of Kosciuszko National Park.