Lake Illawarra Channel Entrance Dredging

Navigational Channel Maintenance,
River and Waterways,
Coastal Protection/Beach Nourishment.

Principal:

NSW Department of Commerce

Location:

Lake Illawarra, New South Wales

Channel Maintenance Dredging in Lake Illawarra Channel Entrance

Overview of Project

The Lake Illawarra project involved dredging the channel entrance to create a 1050m long x 100m wide channel.  Sand dredged from the entrance was used for beach nourishment at the southern end of Warilla beach. 1.5 km away.  Additionally, a sand island was to be created as a roosting area for local and migratory birdlife.

The entrance expansion aimed to help address and resolve issues of poor water quality within the lake.  The quality of water had diminished due to a combination of development, introduction of nutrients and the overall constrictive nature of the entrance channel. Creating a larger entrance, which The team could maintain, would allow increased and more constant flushing of the lake.

Scope of Works

  • Dredging of a 1050m long by 100m wide channel.
  • Formation of a sand island within the entrance providing a compensatory bird roosting habitat.
  • Use of 200,000m3 of dredged sand for Warilla Beach nourishment.
  • Completion of all survey activities associated with the works including set out, calibration and compliance surveys.

Challenges

  • Ensuring all works were carried out in an environmentally sensitive manner.
  • Guaranteeing that the many flora and fauna in the lake Illawarra area were protected.
  • Working in highly visible public areas and ensuring the community’s needs were met.
  • Working in the high current area of the lakes entrance channel.

Lake Illawarra Channel Entrance Dredging Project Image Gallery

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