Manly Lagoon
Manly Lagoon is a small coastal lagoon situated at the boundary of Manly and Warringah in Sydney’s Northern Beaches area.
The Manly Lagoon catchment consists 3 major freshwater creeks;
The water body of the lagoon has the following dimensions;
- Catchment area: 17.9 kilometers
- Perimeter: 4.77 kilometers,
- Length: 2.23 kilometres,
- Maximum width: 0.13 kilometres, and
- Water area: 0.19 kilometers.
Manly Lagoon is now 10% of its original size and is considered one of the most polluted recreational waterways on the east-coast of Australia. Swimming, boating and fishing are prohibited due to the poor water quality. Environmental investigations have identified numerous pollution sources including urban stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, tip site leachate, and illegal discharge and dumping of industrial and trade waste.
Despite past and present pollution problems Manly and Warringah Councils jointly manage the Lagoon together with NSW Fisheries, Department of Infrastructure Planing and Natural Resources and community members.
Over the past 5 years Manly Lagoon as gradually been improved under many differing Manly Council projects which as seen the folowing improvements:
- regrading and planting out of eroded areas,
- installation of interpretive signage, murals and sculptures,
- playground upgrades,
- planting of establised trees for picnic areas, and
- walking path creation.
Free to have a walk down to the lagoon and see and enjoy all the changes.
Manly Lagoon mini-website
Visit the new Manly Lagoon minisite to learn more about this highly modified shallow coastal lagoon, located at the Northern end of Manly Beach.