Manly Dam Catchment

A catchment is an area of land that collects water. The water flows to the lowest point through systems such as rivers, creeks, lakes and dams.

If you live in the Manly Dam catchment, the water from your property and street drains either into Curl Curl Creek and then Manly Dam, or in Manly Creek and Manly Lagoon. By looking after you home and backyard you give your catchment a better chance to remain healthy.

Outbreaks of blue green algae in Manly Dam are caused by nutrients entering the water in stormwater runoff after rain. Nutrients enter the lake from fertilised lawns and gardens, road surfaces, pollution spills, and leachate from old tip sites higher up in teh dam catchment. Pollution and algae reduce the water quality and affect swimmers, wildlife and encourage weed growth.

How Council is helping the catchment...

Warringah Council has many ongoing programs within the Manly Dam catchment to help retain the dam's health.These include:

• Weed control and bush regeneration
• Feral animal control programs
• Fire management planning
• Routine water quality monitoring
• Installation of sediment traps and trash racks on creeks
• Enforcement of park by-laws concerning rubbish dumping
• Auditing of local businesses
• Environmental education of local residents, businesses, schools and visitors

 

How you can help the catchment...

• Plant local natives in your garden, those that occur naturally in the area.
• Using native grasses for your lawn as they need less water than non-natives species and do not become weeds in local bushland.
• Avoid using chemical-based pesticides and fertilisers, especially before rain or next to creeks and waterways. Encourage natural pest controllers like blue-tongued lizards, leaf-tailed geckos and bandicoots into your garden by providing rocks and logs for them to live in.
• Dispose garden waste through composting, mulching or recycling. Dumping weeds and grass clippings is against the law and spreads weeds through the catchment and increases algal outbreaks. 
• Using a broom to sweep up leaves from paved areas and guttering and use as mulch or compost.
• Install a rainwater tank at your home. It can store water from your roof to use on your garden and around the home. It also reduces the amount of stormwater going down our drains.
• Clean up after your dog.  Dog droppings add unwanted nutrients that change the soil to favour weeds over native plants.
• Recycle oils and chemicals. Spills can be absorbed with sawdust or sand and placed in a rubbish bin. Don’t put chemicals, oils or paint down the sink or drain.
• Wash your car responsibily. Park it on the grass and use a bucket, use car-washing products that don’t require water, or a carwash that uses recycled water.
• Keep rubbish out of the drain as it ends up in our local waters.
• Prevent root rot by washing soil from boots, tools and tyres to prevent the spread of Phytopthora cinnamomi, a fungus that causes root rot.
• Check driveway drainage and ensuring it drains towards your garden - you will water your plants when it rains and save precious water from going down stormwater drains.
• Minimise hard surfaces such as paving, tiling, and concrete around your home. Wherever possible use of permeable paving, pebble paths, lawns and garden areas to keep water on your property.
• Become a bushcare volunteer. To find out about Warringah's Friends of the Bush click on the link.