Lake Towerrinning

Statement of Significance

The Lake has aesthetic value to the Shire, being a major landmark of the community it has previously played and continues to play an increasingly important role in the vista of the Shire. The Lake is a popular place for recreation and social celebrations and had previously been the site for swimming lessons, speed boat racing, sail boat racing, and New Years Day carnivals. Carnival Days were instigated in 1946 by the Moodiarrup Football Club. Motocycle racing was also held on the eastern side of the Lake. (5) The Lake has contributed as a key locality since being regularly maintained with fresh water and has historically drawn people together in a social setting. It also plays a large role in today’s social development of the Shire with the annual Australia Day breakfast hosted by the Shire Council being a major event on the local social calendar. The Lake Towerrining Re-diversion System displayed creativity and ingenuity in its design by a group of local farmers with input from State Government Departments. Its inception, engineering and continued maintenance are a display of group dynamics and strong sense of community.

Physical Description

Lake Towerrinning is located on the west side of the Duranillin South Road. It is located on Reserve 24917 and is approximately 163 hectares in size. Early accounts of Lake Towerrinning prior to European settlement and extensive clearing for farming land was as an ephemeral swamp, drying up in summer. When discovered by Captain Bannister in 1832, he described it as a “rushy lagoon” (1). A theory exists as to how the Lake was formed. A high bank on the eastern side of the lake (at the Lakes entrance) and the bed of the Lake itself is said to have been formed by a large meteorite falling in the area. A series of seven large “bubble holes” existed which contained small pieces of molten stone, supporting this theory. These have since been covered by rising water levels. (2)

History

There are a number of stories from local Aboriginals who lived in the area one of which describes a “fire burning in the sky and a large explosion”. There is evidence of a connection between the Aboriginal people and the Lake. There have been reports of finding camp sites, hunting grounds and burial sites. Last recorded evidence of aboriginal settlement was in 1938 where temporary camps were set up to hunt for local bush food. (2) The area’s earliest settle was Mr John Dearle, a former convict who in 1868 leased 10,000acres surrounding Moodiarrup in partnership with Mr Peter Brooker. Complaints were made by Mr Dearle to the authorities of the local aboriginal tribe hunting his sheep. To increase protection, release of more land occurred in 1882 for one pound per thousand acres per year leasehold arrangements where the settlers in the district were given access to the Lake. (2) By the 1940’s modern agricultural practices had seen a reduction in natural vegetative covering in surrounding farm lands causing water tables to rise in the area. This resulted in an increase in surface area run-off. Low lying area became increasingly inundated with water, forming an almost permanent freshwater lake. Local waterbirds numbered up to 33 different species. Reeds and fringing vegetation were healthy and local residents came to increasingly enjoy the opportunity for recreation in the area. (2, 7) By the 1960’s the Lake had become more saline causing a decline in the health of the Lake. This resulted in the original idea for a Re-diversion Project with the Shire’s involvement in 1979. However, major freshwater run-off through a cyclonic event in 1982 intervened to place the re-diversion low on the priority list. (3) In 1989, the current self regulating re-diversion system was devised by a group of local landholders who formed the Lake Towerrinning Catchment Group with technical support from the Department of Agriculture and the Water Authority. Fresh water from winter rainfall events is diverted from Cordering Creek at its confluence with the Darlingup Creek and into the Lake via a W drain. Since the installation of the re-diversion the Lake has maintained adequate water levels for flora, fauna and recreation. The group’s approach and positive impact was the subject of a State Landcare Award in 1993 and a National Landcare Award in 1994. (3) A privately owned and operated caravan park commenced operation in 1982 (4) is located on the southern most portion of the Lake. A picnic area with barbeques, picnic tables and public amenities are located in a terraced recreation are on the top eastern wall of the Lake. Other built structures include two wooden jetties, and a lined boat ramp on the eastern side of the Lake. A 10m boat tower, built to keep watch on the speed boat races was pulled down in the 1990’s. Permanent bush structures with thatched roofs (no longer standing) were installed as a bar and tea rooms for the annual carnival events. (5)

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Regular maintenance schedules of the rediversion by the Landcare group, includes cleaning silt and maintaining banks. Extent of original fabric: There has been some revegetation with local endemic species

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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