Midmar Dam is a large freshwater reservoir located near Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, impounding the Umgeni River. Completed in 1965, the dam covers approximately 1,788 hectares and has a total capacity of 235,000 megalitres, making it a substantial body of water with considerable open stretches. The surrounding Midmar Nature Reserve is operated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

The dam is zoned for multiple uses including powerboats, personal watercraft, yachting, and canoeing, so paddlers share the water with motorized vessels. Power boat skippers are required to hold a Category R Certificate. Swimmers and paddlers are advised to stay close inshore and away from boat traffic. The dam water is confirmed bilharzia-free, which is a notable consideration for paddlers in this region of South Africa.

Canoes can be hired from the on-site boat shop, which also stocks fishing equipment and boat spares; the shop operates on weekends and during peak holiday periods. Day visitors have access to picnic sites with ablution and refuse facilities near the water's edge. Accommodation options within the reserve include self-catering chalets at Munro Bay and campsites at both Munro Bay and Morgenzon, the latter offering both powered and non-powered sites.

The Midmar Canoe Club organizes the Midmar Mini Marathon, a multi-stage race that provides a useful reference for paddling routes on the dam. The long course begins in front of the Henley Midmar Yacht Club, proceeds in an anti-clockwise direction around a subken yacht mast in the bay near the chalets, passes a buoy opposite the boat shop, and continues to Hoby Point for the first portage. A second stage involves paddling south into Pylon Bay for approximately 4 kilometres to a buoy near overhead powerlines, followed by a roughly 1.9-kilometre portage along the dam's edge road. Paddlers should be aware of the submerged yacht stays when navigating near the mast. Pylon Bay, in the southern portion of the dam, is noted for having structural features and an inflowing stream.

The reserve also hosts the Midmar Mile, described as the world's largest open water swimming event, held annually on the second weekend of February, which will affect conditions and access during that period. A freshwater fishing licence is required for fishing, obtainable from the reserve office.