Update: What’s happening at Narrabeen Lagoon?

The works to create a large channel across the entrance of the lagoon are now complete and the sand removed from the area.

These works will assist the natural process following rain – to open the lagoon and facilitate it to stay open longer.

We understand some in the community would like us to open the lagoon now. However our engineers tell us if we do so with the lagoon at the current water level, ocean swells will push sand back into the channel, quickly closing the lagoon again, making the recent works redundant and making it more difficult to try and open again.

With summer on its way we know people would like the lagoon open so our aim is to manage the lagoon in a way that will give us the best opportunity for it to remain open over the Christmas holiday period.

Our engineers are currently doing further assessments to inform any next steps including surveying sand deposits within the lagoon. This work may identify an opportunity to open the lagoon sooner.

And, as always, we are constantly monitoring lagoon water levels and have teams on standby should we need to undertake an emergency flood opening.

Find out more about Narrabeen and other lagoon opening triggers, or review a more extensive list of FAQs 

Monday, 28 October 2019

Narrabeen Lagoon is the largest lagoon in metropolitan Sydney. Managing the lagoon’s entrance and keeping it open as long as possible is complex and dependent on a number of conditions including ocean currents, the amount of sand at North Narrabeen Beach, rainfall levels and time since the last opening.

Despite Council conducting an excavation to open the lagoon in late 2018, the entrance of Narrabeen Lagoon recently closed. We are working with experts to determine the exact reasons for the closure but it is believed to be a combination of a very large accumulation of sand at North Narrabeen Beach and lack of rainfall.  

We are currently preparing to do further works so we can maximise how long the lagoon will stay open following the next significant rainfall.

The works will include clearing a large channel across the entrance berm and removing sand from the area. That way when it does rain and the water level rises, the lagoon can open to the ocean again. It will also give us the best chance of the lagoon remaining open for a longer period.

These works are expected to commence in the coming weeks, depending on rainfall and swell.

Council is constantly monitoring lagoon water levels and has teams on standby should it need to undertake an emergency flood opening before all the sand is moved out of the way.

Find out more about Narrabeen and other lagoon opening triggers, or review a more extensive list of FAQs.