Lane Cove River - Ecology

Ecology

The Lane Cove River rises near Thornleigh and flows generally south for about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). It's catchment area is approximately 95.4 square kilometres (36.8 sq mi).

The upper reaches are in a narrow, forested valley eroded into the North Shore Plateau. The middle reaches are impounded by a weir just upstream of Fullers Bridge. Sections of the valley are richly forested and are protected within the Lane Cove National Park, an area of 598 hectares (1,480 acres), formerly a State Recreation Area. The lower reaches of the Lane Cove River, downstream from the weir near Fullers Bridge, are tidal and merge into Sydney Harbour at Greenwich and Woolwich. There are significant areas of mangrove communities along the shores.

The confluence of the river is with Scout Creek in Lane Cove National Park at Cheltenham. At North Epping, still within the confines of the national park, it is joined by Devlins Creek from the south and Terrys Creek near Macquarie Park. South–west of Killara and Lindfield, the width of the river expands, continuing south through Lane Cove River National Park, towards the suburbs of Linley Point and Riverview, before finally reaching its mouth between Greenwich Point and Woolwich, where it merges with Parramatta River and soon after becomes part of Port Jackson, more commonly known as Sydney Harbour.