Bayswater Brook facts for kids
The Bayswater Brook is a waterway in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. It flows into the Swan River in the suburb of Bayswater. Long ago, it was a natural stream. But in the 1920s, as more homes were built, it was changed into a system of drainage channels. Some parts of these channels are open, and some are covered underground. The water in the brook comes from rain runoff and groundwater.
In the 1970s, the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary was created near where the brook meets the Swan River. Water from the Bayswater Brook now flows through the wetlands in this bird sanctuary. This helps clean the water before it reaches the Swan River. On average, about 7.5 billion litres of water flow through the brook each year.
Where Does the Water Come From?
The area that collects water for the Bayswater Brook is called its catchment. This is the biggest urban catchment in the Perth area, covering about 27 square kilometres. Many suburbs are part of this catchment. These include Bassendean, Bayswater, Bedford, Dianella, Eden Hill, Morley, and Noranda.
Along the Bayswater Brook, you can find several lakes and parks. These green spaces are important for nature and people. Some examples are Browns Lake Reserve, Nora Hughes Park, and Russell Street Park in Morley. Waverley Pola Reserve in Dianella is also along the brook.
Keeping the Water Clean
The Bayswater Brook is a major source of nutrients flowing into the Swan–Canning river system. Nutrients, like those found in fertilisers, can cause problems if too many get into the river. The soil in the catchment area, called Bassendean Sands, isn't very good at holding onto these nutrients. This means they can easily wash into the brook.
To help fix this, a big clean-up project happened in 2015 at the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary. The goal was to reduce the amount of nutrients and rubbish that the Bayswater Brook carries into the Swan River. This project made the wetlands better at filtering the water.
Helping Nature with "Living Streams"
The City of Bayswater is actively working to improve the Bayswater Brook. They are creating "living streams" and "micro wetlands" along its path. These projects aim to make the water cleaner and attract more wildlife, like birds and frogs. They also create new public spaces for people to enjoy.
In 2018, the City of Bayswater won an award for their efforts. They were recognised in the Local Government Honour Awards for their work on the Bayswater Brook. This shows how important it is to protect and improve our local waterways.
