Lake Richmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Richmond |
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Lake Richmond from the look out tower
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 Lake Richmond
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Rockingham, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 32°17′10″S 115°42′54″E / 32.286°S 115.715°E |
| Type | Lake |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Designated | 30 June 2017 |
| Reference no. | 18483 |
Lake Richmond is a freshwater lake located in Rockingham, Western Australia. The Aboriginal Australian name for the lake is Naragebup. It is about 1,000 meters long and 600 meters wide, covering an area of 40 hectares. At its deepest point, the lake is about 15 meters deep. It is thought to be named after a place in London.
Lake Richmond is very close to the coast, less than 1 kilometer away. It became a separate freshwater lake from the ocean around 4,000 years ago.
Contents
Ancient Life in Lake Richmond
What are Thrombolites?
Lake Richmond is famous for its amazing thrombolites. These are living rock-like structures found in the shallow waters near the lake's edges. They are believed to be about six million years old.
The way these thrombolites are built inside is thought to be unique in the entire world. They are very special and important for scientists to study.
History and Heritage
Early Uses of the Lake
Long ago, the local Noongar people, who are Indigenous Australians, used Lake Richmond as a source of fresh water. Later, the first European settlers of the Swan River Colony also used the lake for fresh water.
Old Structures and Discoveries
In 1996, experts from the Western Australian Museum looked at some structures in the lake. They thought these might be old tidal weirs or fish traps built by Aboriginal people before Europeans arrived. These structures were given some protection under laws that protect old Aboriginal sites.
However, after more study, it was decided that these structures were not ancient Aboriginal sites. A local person said they had built them between the 1960s and 1980s.
Lake Salinity Changes
Before 1960, the water in Lake Richmond was quite salty. It had between 2000 and 3500 milligrams of salt per liter. In the 1960s, the lake became part of a city drainage system. Drains were built to bring water in and out. After this, the salt level in the lake dropped a lot, to only 300 to 400 milligrams per liter.
Protecting Lake Richmond's History
In 2017, Lake Richmond was officially added to the State Register of Heritage Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in Western Australia. It is also listed on the WA Register of Aboriginal Sites.
Exploring the Lake
A boardwalk stretches about 115 meters out into the lake. This allows visitors to walk out over the water and get a closer look at the lake and its wildlife.
Wildlife of Lake Richmond
Lake Richmond is a home for many different animals, especially birds and fish.
Water Birds
Many kinds of water birds live around the lake. You might see large Australian pelicans, elegant black swans, and colorful Australian shelducks. Other birds include the musk duck, white-faced heron, and the common greenshank.
Fish and Other Creatures
The lake's waters are home to several types of fish. These include the Swan River goby (Pseudogobius olorum), eastern mosquitofish, sea mullet, and goldfish. You can also find yabbies, which are small freshwater crustaceans, living in the lake.
