May 2013
This month our destination was Manly Dam - one of Sydney's largest freshwater lakes. We met at Wynyard and caught the bus to Manly Vale. After morning tea it was off to the dam.
Before European settlement, the Guringai people occupied a vast area from Newcastle through to Sydney. In 1892 Curl Curl Creek was dammed to create Manly Reservoir and provide a permanent supply of fresh water for the village of Manly. However, as the population grew the dam wall had to be raised. It was first raised in 1909, then in 1922 and finally in 1935.
As the population grew the dam's capacity became insufficient and its water supply was phased out. Water started being piped from the Pymble reservoir in 1930. However, a drought that lasted from 1934 to 1942 was so serious that in January 1942 pumps were reinstalled and Manly Dam was brought back into service until October of the same year.
After World War I Manly Dam was established as a War Memorial Park. On the walk into the dam area, members of the community were beautifying an area with native plants to recognise the contribution of the marines. In 1939 the dam was designated as a reserve for public recreation. During World War II the dam was fortified with machine guns and barbed wire. Warringah Council was appointed trustee of the reserve in 1953.
Manly Dam catchment forms a large valley with an underlying geology of Hawkesbury sandstone. It is rich in plant life with over 300 native plant species, including 18 different native orchids. We enjoyed the deep bright colour of the banksias and the pink, white and red of other delicate flowers throughout the walk. The group noted the change in vegetation areas as we moved around the dam area – woodland, forest and swamp and the different trees and shrubs that grew in each section. While they were not all noticeable to us, apparently there are around 100 weed species that have been recorded at the dam. Manly dam is blessed with many birds and over 80 species have been recorded, including many of the increasingly rare species such as wrens and thornbills. Peter helped to identify several of the species.
We had lunch by the edge of the dam and then headed back to the bus – the walk was approximately 9K.
Quote of the day -- (After a toilet stop) – It was hardly worth the effort.
This month our destination was Manly Dam - one of Sydney's largest freshwater lakes. We met at Wynyard and caught the bus to Manly Vale. After morning tea it was off to the dam.
Before European settlement, the Guringai people occupied a vast area from Newcastle through to Sydney. In 1892 Curl Curl Creek was dammed to create Manly Reservoir and provide a permanent supply of fresh water for the village of Manly. However, as the population grew the dam wall had to be raised. It was first raised in 1909, then in 1922 and finally in 1935.
As the population grew the dam's capacity became insufficient and its water supply was phased out. Water started being piped from the Pymble reservoir in 1930. However, a drought that lasted from 1934 to 1942 was so serious that in January 1942 pumps were reinstalled and Manly Dam was brought back into service until October of the same year.
After World War I Manly Dam was established as a War Memorial Park. On the walk into the dam area, members of the community were beautifying an area with native plants to recognise the contribution of the marines. In 1939 the dam was designated as a reserve for public recreation. During World War II the dam was fortified with machine guns and barbed wire. Warringah Council was appointed trustee of the reserve in 1953.
Manly Dam catchment forms a large valley with an underlying geology of Hawkesbury sandstone. It is rich in plant life with over 300 native plant species, including 18 different native orchids. We enjoyed the deep bright colour of the banksias and the pink, white and red of other delicate flowers throughout the walk. The group noted the change in vegetation areas as we moved around the dam area – woodland, forest and swamp and the different trees and shrubs that grew in each section. While they were not all noticeable to us, apparently there are around 100 weed species that have been recorded at the dam. Manly dam is blessed with many birds and over 80 species have been recorded, including many of the increasingly rare species such as wrens and thornbills. Peter helped to identify several of the species.
We had lunch by the edge of the dam and then headed back to the bus – the walk was approximately 9K.
Quote of the day -- (After a toilet stop) – It was hardly worth the effort.