Loch McNess facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch McNessWagardu Lark |
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| Yanchep Lake | |
Sunset over Loch McNess
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 Loch McNess
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°32′S 115°40′E / 31.533°S 115.667°E |
| Type | Freshwater |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Designation | Yanchep National Park |
| Max. depth | 3.4 m (11 ft) |
| Islands | Several |
Loch McNess, also known as Yanchep Lake, is a freshwater lake in Western Australia. It is located near Yanchep on the Swan Coastal Plain, close to the city of Perth. The Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of this land, call the lake Wagardu Lark.
Loch McNess is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, which is a group of lakes. It is also found inside the Yanchep National Park. Water from the lake helps to refill underground lakes in some nearby caves.
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How Loch McNess Got Its Name
The lake is named after Sir Charles McNess. He was a very wealthy person from Western Australia. Sir Charles was a philanthropist, which means he loved to help others by giving money to good causes.
Amazing Animals of Loch McNess
Loch McNess is home to some special animals. The Galaxiidae (a type of fish) and Gilgies (freshwater crayfish) live only in this area. These animals are called endemic because they are native to this specific region.
However, some animals that are not native have also been introduced. One example is the mosquitofish (Gambusia). These fish can sometimes cause problems for the local native animals.
Scientists Studying the Lake
Scientists from the CSIRO study Loch McNess. CSIRO is a big science organization in Australia. They study tiny plants and animals called plankton, and also nutrients in the water. They do this to make sure the lake stays healthy and to understand its ecosystem.
A Special Place for the Nyoongar People
For the Nyoongar people, Loch McNess (or Wagardu Lark) and its nearby caves are very important. This area has great cultural importance for them. They have many stories and traditions connected to this special place.
History of the Lake
After European people started living in the area, Loch McNess became a popular spot for boating. In 1933, a building called Gloucester Lodge was built right on the lake's edge. People used to enjoy boating outings on the lake. However, today there is not enough water in the lake for boating anymore.
