Canberra's Urban Lakes and Ponds

Water Quality Results

Water Quality in our Lakes and Ponds Please click here to view current water quality results.

Notices

Molonglo Reach Water Ski Area

Molonglo Reach Water Ski Area is CLOSED due to safety concerns.

The lowering of the water levels in Lake Burley Griffin by the National Capital Authority in November 2011 is expected to impact the Molonglo Reach Water Ski Area for a period of 12-18 months. Conditions in the Water Ski Area have been further altered by recent heavy rains that have mobilised large quantities of sediment and debris from upstream.

The ACT Government is conducting underwater surveys to determine what works are required to reopen the area. Alternative locations that may be suitable for tightly controlled water skiing within the ACT are being investigated.

Lake Tuggeranong - Extreme blue-green algae alert 

The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate has issued an extreme alert level for blue‐green algae in Lake Tuggeranong. As exposure to this level of blue‐green algae carries an
increased health risk, the lake is closed to primary‐contact recreation. This action has been taken in accordance with the ACT Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality
following advice from ACT Health.

Primary‐contact recreation means recreation that involves whole‐body water contact or submersion of the head. Examples include swimming, diving, waterskiing and windsurfing. Secondary‐contact
recreation such as rowing, fishing, boating and canoeing will still be permitted, however, people should not engage in secondary‐contact recreation unless:
 they are experienced;
 they are informed of the algae risks and what to do if contact occurs;
 they do not engage in primary‐contact during the recreation; and
 shower facilities, with suitable water, are available for washing after the recreation.

In particular, contact with algal scum should be avoided. Clothing that has been in the water should be washed to remove any blue‐green algae residue.
Water event organisers should ensure all participants are aware of the blue‐green algae alert level, the associated exposure risks and provide adequate shower facilities.
Pet owners should not allow their animals to swim in or drink the water, as blue‐green algae can make pets very ill or even result in death.
Algae levels can change quickly. Water users should look for algae warnings signs which indicate the current algae alert level.
Anyone concerned about possible symptoms of blue‐green algae exposure following water
exposures should contact their GP.

For more information on blue‐green algae and Alert Levels go to the Directorate’s website at www.environment.act.gov.au or contact the Environment Protection Authority through Canberra
Connect on 13 22 81. 

The Plan of Management

The Canberra Urban Lakes and Ponds Plan of Management was developed to describe the way in which the lakes and ponds in Canberra are to be managed to provide for public and community use and environmental values and protection.

Parks, Conservation and Lands manages the perimeter of most of the lakes and ponds in Canberra including Lake Burley Griffin. The National Capital Authority manages the water surface of Lake Burley Griffin and perimeter areas which are National Land (eg Commonwealth Park, the Parliamentary Triangle).

• Lake Ginninderra
• Gungahlin Pollution Control Ponds
• Water Quality in our Lakes and Ponds

Overview Statement of Canberra's Lakes and Ponds

The urban lakes and ponds managed by Parks Conservation and Land include Lake Ginninderra and Lake Tuggeranong. Here the lake foreshores contain major recreational facilities for a range of ages including beaches, designated swimming areas for toddlers and young children, jetties, boat ramps for non-petroleum powered boats, BBQs and playgrounds.

For those who enjoy water skiing a designated section of Molonglo River has been allocated. At various times of the year skiing championships and tournaments are staged.

The other 11 ponds scattered throughout Canberra make up a series of control ponds which intercept urban runoff before entering the Murrumbidgee River. These ponds also encourage the existence of flora and fauna and benefit the community both aesthetically and recreationally.

Zones have been determined for each waterbody which are based on water quality and ecological criteria. They form the basis for managing the waterbodies throughout the ACT.

The Regional Maps show the location of all of the Lakes and Ponds managed by Parks Conservation and Lands.

Water Quality and Ecological Zones for Lakes and Ponds

Monitoring of water quality and ecology through the ponds and lakes has identified a pattern of progressive water quality improvement longitudinally downstream as a result of these processes, resulting in three distinct water quality and ecological zones:

• Inlet Zone (Water Management Zone I), high in suspended solids, nutrients, organic material and bacteria. Typically, this zone comprises the shallow water emergent aquatic plant ecosystems described above. It is a highly productive zone, sustaining high biomass of plants, macroinvertebrates, fish and birds.
• Intermediate Zone (Water Management Zone II) of edge macrophytes and clear water, having reduced (fine) levels of suspended material, nutrients and bacteria. It typically comprises extensive submerged macrophytes and epiphytic and planktonic algae.
• Outlet Zone (Water Management Zone III), low in suspended solids, nutrients and bacteria, and low in planktonic algae. Typically, this zone comprises the deep water - planktonic algal ecosystems described above.

Within the intermediate and outlet zones described above, most edge (littoral) areas have emergent aquatic plants, with a width of the order of 2 to 4 m. The littoral area exhibits many of the characteristics of the shallow - extensive emergent macrophyte ecosystem described above. In this case, suspended solids and organic material (algae) are washed into the macrophyte beds from the open waters by wave action, while runoff from the adjacent foreshore area discharges suspended solids, nutrients and organic material.