While Katherine’s town pool remains closed due to toxic PFAS chemicals, hundreds residents have flocked to the RAAF Base Tindal pool to cool off. 

Others are choosing to swim in spots where saltwater crocodiles have been spotted and known to inhabit. 

Visitors Emily and Shane have spent the past three years travelling around Australia and drove into Katherine yesterday. 

Emily said they chose to take a dip at the Low Level Reserve. 

“We came here because we saw about 20 locals swimming in the water yesterday, so we thought it would be okay,” Emily said. 

Shane said the pair did not see any obvious warning signs about the presence of saltwater crocodiles. 

“We had an idea that there would be freshies in here, but we thought it would be safe because there were so many locals in the water,” Shane said. 

“The water is really clear and shallow so I think we would be able to spot one if it was close.”

Senior wildlife ranger John Burke said the salties they have pulled from waterways this year would have swum through the Low Level. 

“People should remain crocwise, crocs are deadly and can move around Top End waterways undetected,” Mr Burke said. 

“Large crocodiles can camouflage themselves in shallow water. They can hide in water that is the same depth as their height.

“Over the past two and a half months, we have had numerous reports of large crocodiles between Knotts Crossing and Springvale, that includes the lower part of the Low Level. 

“Despite our best efforts we haven’t been able to identify a saltwater crocodile in that area but that does not mean it isn’t there.” 

Mr Burke said rangers have begun to remove crocodile traps from Katherine waterways in preparation for the wet season. 

“We have five traps in between Knotts Crossing and Springvale and we have removed one of those already,” Mr Burke said.