Whiteman Park was established, in part, to protect the southern tip of the Gnangara Water Mound, a large underground water source that supplies drinking water for up to 60% of Perth.
The Gnangara Mound is Perth’s largest source of groundwater, stretching from Gingin in the north, to the Swan River in the south.
This unconfined aquifer supports a number of groundwater dependant ecosystems found within the Park, including the wetlands and banksia woodlands. You can see the surface expression of the Gnangara Mound in each of the Park’s wetlands, dams and water holes, usually towards the end of winter and into spring.
Wetland and groundwater levels on the Gnangara Mound have been under considerable pressure in recent years due to a combination of the drying climate (less rainfall) limiting recharge of the mound, and extraction for irrigation and public water supply purposes.
To find out more about the Gnangara Mound and Perth’s other underground aquifers, visit the Department of Water website.
Image: 'Lake Marshall' is a seasonal surface expression of the Gnangara Water Mound