Lake Richmond
Lake Richmond is a freshwater lake in Rockingham, Western Australia. It is approximately, with an area of, and is deep in the centre. It is believed to be named after the London borough.
The lake is less than from the coast, having separated from the ocean at Cockburn Sound within the last 4,000 years.
The shallow waters within about of the edges of the lake are home to thrombolites, estimated to be about six million years old. The internal structure of the thrombolites is believed to be unique in the world.
Before 1960, the lake's salinity was 20003500 mg/L. In the 1960s it was used as part of an urban drainage scheme; the Water Board constructed inlet and outlet drains. Subsequently the salinity level dropped to 300400 mg/L.
A boardwalk extends approximately into the lake.
Water birds that inhabit the area include the Australian pelican, black swan, Australian shelduck, musk duck, white-faced heron and common greenshank. The lake is home to the Swan River goby, eastern mosquitofish, sea mullet, goldfish and yabbies.
The lake was used as a source of fresh water by the local indigenous Noongar people, as well as the settlers of the Swan River Colony.
The 10th Light Horse Regiment had a camp near the lake during the war years.
In 2017, the lake was given a permanent entry on the State Register of Heritage Places. It also listed on the WA Register of Aboriginal Sites, as RAS #15974.
