Lake Alexander to be closed, flushed with seawater after testing reveals ‘high bacteria content’

Darwin council will be flushing the popular swimming spot with natural seawater to see it ready again for swimmers as soon as possible, after some less than favourable test results.

Lake Alexander has been closed to the public after routine testing. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

East Point’s Lake Alexander has been temporarily closed and will be flushed with seawater after “an isolated area of high bacteria content” was detected during routine testing.

A City of Darwin spokesman said the lake would be closed to swimming and other water activities while further testing was undertaken.

“Recent rains have washed nutrients into the lake and this, together with recent warmer periods, has reduced the water quality in the lake,” he said.

“Flushing the lake with natural seawater is the best environmental action and will see the lake ready again for swimmers as soon as possible.”

Members are of the public are advised to heed all advisory signs while testing is being done, with the council to notify residents when the lake is reopened.

It comes just over a month since the last closure of the lake, which was shut in early December due to a unconfirmed shark sighting.

The next day the popular swimming spot was reopened after a large milkfish was found and believed to be the suspect.

The lake was closed for two weeks in April 2022 when a milkfish, as well as a couple of barramundi, was caught.

Originally published as Lake Alexander to be closed, flushed with seawater after testing reveals ‘high bacteria content’