| Herdsman Lake | |||||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Australia Perth | ||||||||
| Location: | , Western Australia | ||||||||
| Coords: | -31.92°N 115.8069°W | ||||||||
| Basin Countries: | Australia | ||||||||
| Designation: | Herdsman Lake Regional Park | ||||||||
| Length: | 2.5km (01.6miles) | ||||||||
| Width: | 2km (01miles) | ||||||||
| Area: | 3km2 | ||||||||
| Embedded: |
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Herdsman Lake ('''Njookenbooro'''), is a freshwater lake located on the Swan Coastal Plain, north-west of Perth, Western Australia, in the suburb of Herdsman. The main shared-use path around the lake is approximately 8 kilometres in length, whilst the wetland perimeter of the lake is approximately 7.5 kilometres.
The lake is encompassed by Herdsman Lake Regional Park. It measures in length, and in width, totaling over .[1] The perimeter of the lake is dredged to provide permanent open water, 15% of the area,[1] during the dry summer months. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary, with birdwatching a popular activity.
Almost 80% of the lake is covered with Typha rush (Typha orientalis), an introduced weed. In summer, most of the lake is dry. 15% of the lake is permanent deep water. In the 1830s, the lake was a possible water supply for Perth. In 1936, the lake was almost used as an alternative airport. Herdsman Lake was declared a regional park in 1999.
The Herdsman Main Drain is a 4km (02miles) x 1000mm underground pipe drain carrying excess water from the lake to its outflow at City Beach.[2] [3]
Attractions within the park include the Olive Seymour Boardwalk, Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre and Settler's Cottage. It also contains a statue created by Pietro Porcelli, which formerly sat atop the now-demolished AMP Chambers building, which was rescued and placed on one of the islands. Walking, cycling, picnicking, birdwatching and wildflower spotting are popular activities in the park. Disabled access is provided.
More than 160 species of bird have been recorded at Herdsman Lake, including some notable sightings and endemic species to the region.[4]