The ACT Government monitors the environmental status of Canberra's lakes, ponds and rivers and advises changes in water quality conditions in relation to bacteria, blue-green algae and other potentially hazardous conditions, such as flooding. General water quality parameters are also monitored in the lakes, rivers and ponds to pick up long term trends. The ACT Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality, issued in October 2014, provide a framework for the management of recreational activity in ACT lakes and rivers. The guidelines break down recreational use into two categories; primary and secondary contact recreation.

Primary contact recreation

This involves whole-body contact in which the entire body or the face and trunk are frequently immersed or the face is frequently wet by spray, and where it is likely that some water will be swallowed, inhaled, or come into contact with ears, nasal passages, mucous membranes or cuts in the skin (e.g. swimming, diving, waterskiing, windsurfing).

Secondary contact recreation

This may involve incidental contact in which only the limbs are regularly wet and where greater contact is unusual (e.g. boating, fishing, canoeing and rowing). There may be occasional and inadvertent immersion through accidents (e.g. slipping into the water).

Spikes in the levels of bacteria and/or blue-green algae may result in the closure of recreational areas to primary contact and/or secondary contact. The following table provides current advice for Canberra's recreational lakes and rivers. Signage displaying current advice is installed in recreational locations across Canberra's lakes and rivers.

Please note that members of the public are reminded to check signage at recreational areas and to assess the water for changes in conditions and possible hazards prior to entering the water.