Lake Albacutya
Lake Albacutya (Wergaia: Ngelbakutya[3]) is a eutrophic lake located in the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia. It is one of a series of terminal lakes on the Wimmera River, which form the largest land-locked drainage system in Victoria. Lake Albacutya is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.[4]
| Lake Albacutya (Ngelbakutya) | |
|---|---|
  Lake Albacutya (Ngelbakutya) Location in Victoria | |
| Location | Wimmera, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 35°45′21″S 141°58′28″E[1] |
| Type | Eutrophic |
| Primary inflows | Outlet Creek |
| Primary outflows | Outlet Creek (when full); evaporation |
| Catchment area | 23,500 km2 (9,100 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Max. width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 55 km2 (21 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Max. depth | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Water volume | 230 GL (5.1×1010 imp gal; 6.1×1010 US gal) |
| Designated | 15 December 1982 |
| Reference no. | 270[2] |
Location and features
On the occasions that there is an overflow from Lake Hindmarsh to the south, water enters Outlet Creek (Wergaia: Krumelak[3]) which then feeds Lake Albacutya. When full, Lake Albacutya covers 5,500 ha (14,000 acres), is 8 m (26 ft) deep, and holds around 230 gigalitres (8.1×109 cubic feet) of water.
The lake generally fills and empties on a 20-year cycle, the longest dry period on record being 27 years.[5] In 2011 it was reported that the lake had not received any inflow for some years and remained dry throughout the wetter years of 2011–2012.[6]
Being less saline than Lake Hindmarsh, Lake Albacutya supports a denser cover of vegetation during its dry phase.[7]
References
- "Lake Albacutya". Vicnames. Victorian Government. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- "Lake Albacutya". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- Griffin, Darren; Muir, Ben. "Barringgi Gadyin – The Wimmera River and Wotjobaluk Connection to Country" (PDF). biolinksalliance.org.au. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- "Lake Albacutya". Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Victorian Government. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- "Lake Albacutya Park". Parks Victoria. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- Ker, Peter (25 January 2011). "Parched lake may end 15-year dry". The Age. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- "Chapter 18 – Wimmera River Terminal Wetlands, Assessing environmental water requirements, July 2010 Prepared by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
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