Lake Burragorang subcatchment

The sub catchment contains the tributaries of Tonalli River, Butcher's Creek, Lacey's Creek and Green Wattle Creek all of which have undeveloped catchments.

The whole of the sub catchment is part of the Warragamba Special Area, an area set aside for protection of Sydney's main drinking water storage.  Management of the area is shared by the Sydney Catchment Authority and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

The Special Area contains lands that form an integral link in a system of reserved lands that constitute one of the largest and most important conservation areas in Australia. The area has unique and relatively undisturbed natural features and some areas have been declared as Wilderness and included on the Register of the National Estate.

The variation in topography, altitude, aspect and micro-climate has resulted in a diversity of habitats for native plants and animals including a number of threatened species and communities whose distributions are limited.  The management of the Special Area has conserved the habitats of at least 25 significant plant species, 20 threatened animal species and 10 locally endemic native fish species.

Four bird species found within the Warragamba Special Area are protected under international agreements.' (in the Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management Background Document 1999 by Sydney Catchment Authority and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service). 

The lake Burragorang sub catchment is a very significant area in the catchment for its biodiversity values and is an integral part of the regional biodiversity corridors (see Appendix 8 in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Action Plan)

Under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998, there are two water quality protection zones which are collectively called the Special Areas:

• Schedule One (land close to the water storages), and
• Schedule Two (second tier buffer zone, adjoining Schedule One).

Restrictions and controls are placed on land use, development and access within Special Areas to protect water quality but there are some provisions for bushwalking and other passive recreation pursuits in limited areas.  Further information on access and use is available through the Sydney Catchment Authority.