Lake Albert (New South Wales) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Albert |
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from Willans Hill
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 Lake Albert
Location in New South Wales
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| Location | New South Wales |
| Coordinates | 35°10′01″S 147°22′23″E / 35.1670°S 147.3730°E |
| Lake type | artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Crooked and String Bark creeks |
| Primary outflows | Evaporation |
| Catchment area | 76.46 km2 (29.52 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Managing agency | Wagga Wagga City Council |
| Designation | Recreational |
| Built | 1890s |
| Surface area | 125 ha (310 acres) |
| Average depth | 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Settlements | Lake Albert |
Lake Albert is a man-made lake located in the suburb of Lake Albert in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, Australia. It covers an area of 125 hectares (about 300 acres). The lake was created in 1868 on an area once known as Swampy Plains. It was named after Prince Albert.
The lake is surrounded by lovely parkland. It is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. People enjoy water sports, fishing, walking, and watching birds here. The lake is also home to the Wagga Boat Club. One of the city's golf courses, the Wagga Wagga Country Club, is located right on the western side of the lake.
Contents
History of Lake Albert
Water Sports Events
Lake Albert has been a key place for water sports. In May 1976, the Water Ski Challenge Shield was held here for the first time. This event was organized by the New South Wales Ski Association and the Wagga Boat Club.
During the race on May 9, 1976, a talented Australian ski champion named Barry Carne passed away. He was from Melbourne. The Barry Carne Memorial Ski Race was then created in his honor. This race was usually held every year in May, depending on the lake's water levels.
The event returned to Lake Albert in May 2006 after being away for four years. This was because the lake had been very low due to a long drought. However, it was cancelled again in 2007 for the same reason. In March 2010, the race was able to return because heavy rains had filled the lake again.
Lake Levels and Environment
Over the years, Lake Albert has faced challenges with its water levels. Long periods of dry weather, known as droughts, have caused the lake to become very shallow. In 2005, the local council thought about pumping water into the lake to save fish, but this idea was not used. Luckily, a big thunderstorm in November 2005 brought enough rain to fill the lake completely.
In January 2007, there was a chance that water sports might be stopped on the lake. This would happen if the water level dropped below 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) because of the ongoing drought.
Sometimes, the lake has also been closed due to water quality issues. For example, in March 2008, it was closed because of high levels of certain bacteria in the water.
In January 2010, the lake's water levels were extremely low again. Many fish, especially European carp, died because of the shallow water, hot weather, and the growth of blue-green algae. People living near the lake were worried about a possible increase in mosquitoes, which could spread diseases like Ross River fever.
Heavy rains in February and March 2010 helped a lot. The lake's level rose significantly, reaching 2.0 meters (about 6.5 feet). This was the deepest it had been since 2006.
Removing Silt
On March 23, 2009, a project began to remove silt from the northern part of the lake. Silt is like fine mud that builds up at the bottom of a lake. Local businesses helped by offering their time and equipment. The Wagga Wagga City Council paid for the fuel. About 8,000 cubic meters (over 280,000 cubic feet) of silt were removed. This silt was then used to create spectator mounds at the Wagga Wagga Exhibition Centre.
Images for kids
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Lake Albert on 4 November 2005
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Lake Albert 100% full on 9 November 2005
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Panorama view of the lake taken on 31 March 2008
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A pull scraper with a laser leveler, removing silt from the northern end
