History
In earlier times, this area was extremely important to Aboriginal people because of the abundant fresh water and diverse range of food types.
Aborigines used Lake Parramatta Reserve area, prior to European colonisation of the Parramatta area, extensively on a semi-permanent basis due to the abundance of fresh water and diversity of food types available. Evidence still remains of Aboriginal occupation within the Reserve in the form of remnant shelters, hand stencils, flaking scars and deposits. As far back as 1804 records exist of the Reserve's use as a pleasure ground, specifically around Hunt’s Creek.
By 1840, as Parramatta’s population was growing, and likewise its demand for fresh water, Hunt's Creek was advocated for damming. In 1855 the foundation stone for the dam was laid with all sandstone used for construction quarried from Hunt's Creek, thereby allowing for completion in the following year.
Completed in 1856 this was the twelfth engineered dam built in the western world, the first in Australia, and the second arch built universally that involved calculations for its construction.
The masonry arch dam wall, designed by Lieutenant Percy Simpson, builder of the Great North Road, and cost of £17,000. The land had been supplied by James Pye, a local orchardist and owner of the Lamb and Lark Inn at Baulkham Hills at nominal cost.
Water from this dam was not reticulated until 1881 when it was required to augment the then dwindling water supply.
When the water supply became insufficient for the town’s use, it was entrusted with its surrounds in 1909 to Parramatta Council as a recreational area. In the 1920s and 30's the lake was a popular swimming hole with at one point the largest inland freshwater lifesaving club in Australia.
By the late 1980s lack of consistently good water quality led to “No Swimming” signs being erected.
In June 2006 Parramtta City Council voted to reopen the lake to limited swimming. After investigating different options the Counil has for now decided to allow swimming only on special event days. The first of these, called the Freshwater Festival, was held on 3 December 2006 featuring competitive swimming races from 10am till 12pm and public swimming from 1pm till 3pm, supervised by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia.
Read more about this topic: Lake Parramatta
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