[2] The traditional custodians of the land surrounding the Cotter River are the Aboriginal people of the Ngunnawal clan.

The river was named in honour of Garrett Cotter, an Irish-born convict who was transported to Australia for "the term of his natural life".

[1] Cotter was granted a ticket-of-leave in 1843;[4] given a conditional pardon in 1846 that gave him freedom of movement, except in Britain and Ireland; and later lived in Michelago.

[1] When the Government surveyor, Charles Scrivener, recommended Canberra as the best site for Australia's national capital, water catchment was a significant consideration.

The Cotter River Reserve located at the base of the dam wall is a very popular picnic area.

The scenic drive stretches 17.6 kilometres (10.9 mi) from the centre of Canberra past the suburbs of Curtin, Holder and Duffy, in between Stromlo Forest and Narrabundah Hill Pine Plantation, and past Casuarina Sands into the Cotter Avenue river area.