As the rain continues to fall and the weather system moves south, rising water levels are causing headaches for authorities across the state.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said contractors excavated Narrabeen Lagoon last night to prepare for a deluge of water coming into the catchment, “but it closed again naturally because the lagoon level was roughly the same as the ocean”.
Timing the release of water from the lagoon is a balancing act, since the lagoon needs to reach a level high enough to beat the waves.
Northern Beaches Council is excavating Narrabeen Lagoon.Credit: Nick Moir
Herald photographer Nick Moir was on scene this morning as contractors returned to dig out the channel once again, and Heins said crews would continue to work on keeping the channel open and allowing the water to escape.
Manly Dam has also been lowered to provide more flood storage, Heins said, and Manly lagoon is expected to be opened “sometime today”.
“Unfortunately, the forecast is worsening, and we are expecting heavy rain and local flooding later today, peaking overnight, and into the weekend,” Heins said. “We have crews ready to respond and support SES as required.”
The council and the Manly and Warringah-Pittwater NSW SES units have organised sand and sandbags at the following locations:
- Denzil Joyce Oval car park, Abbott Rd North Curl Curl
- Balgowlah Golf Club car park, Sydney Rd Balgowlah
- Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club car park.