Lake Albacutya (Wergaia: Ngelbakutya)[3] is an ephemeral lake located in Albacutya within 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]
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.
- ^ a b 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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