Lake still yuck

We paddled kayaks from Oaks Estate to Duntroon during the 82 drought, and the number of foul smelling pipes coming into the river was an eye opener. Usually they’d have been more discreet with the higher water level, but as it was, we had to carry the canoes over shoals of sand and rocks, and the horrible stinking stuff being piped in was revolting. I’m sure I never swam in the lake after seeing that.

ant said :

It’s not the government’s fault the lake is a cesspool. There’s not enough rain creating in/out flow. Plus people let filth flow into it, especially nutrients. Toinght the Qbn river was stinking horribly into the underground carpark, smelt like rotting algae, same problem I imagine.

I was never happy swimming in the Lake, even in the 70s. It smelt bad, it was turbid, and full of monsters.

Maybe Queanbeyan’s treated sewerage should be piped downstream of the lake. Possibly as far as the Lower Molongo Water Quality Control Centre.

It passes there eventually. After fouling the lake.

Jivrashia said :

but geez I’m starting to miss the pelting of rain on my roof and being ushered indoors due to the wet.

Something nice is coming, possibly starting on the weekend, maybe just after. But it should be wet enough to have the silly people complaining about the rain (they think that storms fill up the dams and acquifers).

It’ll take years to break the drought, but every rain event is wonderful for those of us who worry about where we’re going.

It’s not the government’s fault the lake is a cesspool. There’s not enough rain creating in/out flow. Plus people let filth flow into it, especially nutrients. Toinght the Qbn river was stinking horribly into the underground carpark, smelt like rotting algae, same problem I imagine.

I was never happy swimming in the Lake, even in the 70s. It smelt bad, it was turbid, and full of monsters.

Why don’t we just install massive turbines at the bed of the lake to keep the water constantly turbulent?

kevn said :

How come you hate on the NCA so much, tonewise?

Just hardening up for the worst, but hoping for the best.
I’d hate it if such fate befell on our NCA, but we’re at the mercy of the weather. And it’s getting worse.
I certainly enjoy a fine sunny Canberra day with deep blue skies as much as the next Canberran, but geez I’m starting to miss the pelting of rain on my roof and being ushered indoors due to the wet.
My garden, my lawn… my dear lawn. There used to be grass on there ya know.

How come you hate on the NCA so much, tonewise?

My understanding is that the presence of algae indicates stagnant water.
There is not enough inflow of rain/storm water into the lake that creates the circulation of water and which keeps the algae at bay (safe levels).

Simply put, there’s not enough rain.

The water level of the lake may now only go one way, down.
If that’s the case then there’s no point funding for the repair of Cook’s jet.

Less rain, more algae, water restrictions becomes severer, drinking water starts to be trucked in from interstate, and the lawns of the capitol hill turns brown. Government delares Canberra a barren land and unsustainable for dwelling, population exist en masse, water-hungry trees and green lawns wither away while native bush takes over. The city is left to be reclaimed by the Australian wilderness.

“There once use to be a great city here…”

Okay, I’m probably telling tall tales here. But, who knows?
Now, where’s that consistent spell of rain…?