Yarralumla Beach

Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory

Water Quality Questions? Visit the LBG Water Quality Information Page

WATER QUALITY INFORMATION

The 2019/20 Lake Burley Griffin Recreational Season has closed. Water quality sampling and analysis for the 2020/21 Recreational Season will commence on Monday 12 October 2020. Results will be posted on Thursday 15 October 2020.

As the season is over and weekly testing has ceased, we are unable to advise the species of algae present and concentration of algae in the Lake.

Not all algae is dangerous, however, as a precaution we advise that the public and their pets avoid swimming in areas where there is visible algae.

Swimming during the colder months is not recommended. For watercraft safety tips visit https://bit.ly/2G75LK8

SITE INFORMATION

Yarralumla Beach is a popular location on the southern shoreline of Lake Burley Griffin. Close to the suburb of Yarralumla and the Parliamentary Zone, Yarralumla Beach is popular with swimmers and people launching kayaks and other small craft. West Lake to the north is popular with wind surfers.

Yarralumla Beach has a generous sandy beach, designated swimming enclosure with swimming platforms, ample free parking, toilets and barbeques and is 15 minutes from the city centre of Canberra.

*STANDING BACTERIA ALERT*
Swimming should be avoided for several days after heavy rainfall as bacterial levels are strongly affected by such events.

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COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.

Water Quality

Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
Historical Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on May 18th, 2020. National Capital Authority updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on May 20th, 2020 at 9:00 PM.

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Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

During the recreational season (mid October to mid April) Enterococci and blue green algae (cyanobacteria) are monitored to advise on the suitability of the water quality for recreational purposes (Primary Contact Recreation: swimming, bathing, novice secondary, and Secondary Contact Recreation: sailing, rowing, kayaks etc).Sites are monitored weekly during the Recreational Season. The Recreational Season runs from 2nd Monday in October to 2nd Monday in April. Samples are collected Mondays (or Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday).Beaches are given a red (fail) if they exceed either of the following protective criteria:Enterococci: 200 cfu/100mLCyanobacteria: 20,000 Indicative Microcystis aeruginosa algae cells/ml (Medium alert) Additional warnings are issued when cyanobacteria level reach high (?50,000 cells/ml) or extreme ( ?125,000 cells/ml) levels. The NCA updates the Lake Burley Griffin Water Quality website (www.nca.gov.au) each week during the season with water quality data. Further user advice and information about lake closures and health alerts can also be found at https://www.nca.gov.au/national-land/lake-burley-griffin-management/lake-water-qualityFollow the NCA on Twitter: @nca_media and Facebook: @NCA.gov for current water quality information.Water quality information and data requests can be sent to lakeburleygriffin@nca.gov.auWater Quality Advisory signs are at all recreational areas.

Water Quality Graph