| Loch McNess | |||||||||||
| Other Name: | Yanchep Lake | ||||||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Western Australia | ||||||||||
| Location: | Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia | ||||||||||
| Coords: | -31.5333°N 155°W | ||||||||||
| Type: | Freshwater | ||||||||||
| Basin Countries: | Australia | ||||||||||
| Designation: | Yanchep National Park | ||||||||||
| Max-Depth: | 3.4m (11.2feet) | ||||||||||
| Islands: | Several | ||||||||||
| Reference: | [1] | ||||||||||
| Embedded: |
| ||||||||||
}}Loch McNess (Wagardu Lark),[2] also known as Yanchep Lake, is a freshwater lake located near Yanchep in the northern part of the coastal plain of Perth, Western Australia. Loch McNess is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, a chain of lakes, and is part of the Yanchep National Park. Water from the lake is used to refill the underground lakes in some nearby caves.[3]
The lake is named after Sir Charles McNess, a wealthy Western Australian philanthropist.
Galaxiidae (fish) and Gilgies (freshwater crayfish) are endemic to the region. Introduced species include mosquitofish (Gambusia).
CSIRO study nutrients and plankton in the lake.[4]
The lake is also known as Wagardu Lark by the Nyoongar aboriginals and along with the caves is of significant cultural importance.[5]
Since European colonisation of the area and specifically with the building of Gloucester Lodge on its shores in 1933[6] it has traditionally been used for boating outings. There is no longer sufficient water in the lake for boating.