Lake Alexandrina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Alexandrina |
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Lake Alexandrina is the largest of the Lower Lakes
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| Location | South Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°25′S 139°07′E / 35.417°S 139.117°E |
| Primary inflows | Murray, Bremer, Angas, and Finniss Rivers |
| Primary outflows | Murray Mouth |
| Catchment area | 1,061,469 square kilometres (409,835 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 64,900 hectares (251 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2.8 metres (9.2 ft) |
| Max. depth | 6 metres (20 ft) |
| Water volume | 1,610 gigalitres (0.39 cu mi) |
| Surface elevation | 0.75 metres (2.5 ft) |
| Settlements | Milang |
Lake Alexandrina is a really big lake in South Australia. It's about 45 miles (72 km) south-east of Adelaide. The lake covers a huge area of about 56,000 hectares (138,000 acres).
The mighty Murray River flows into the northern part of the lake. This happens near a town called Wellington. Water from the lake then flows out to the sea through an opening into Encounter Bay.
What is Lake Alexandrina?
To keep the lake's water fresh, some special walls were built in 1940. These walls stop salty seawater from flowing back into the lake. They also separate the lake from a nearby area called the Coorong. The Coorong is a long, narrow lagoon that's part of the Murray River's mouth.
Home to Amazing Wildlife
Lake Alexandrina and the Coorong are super important for nature. They are recognized as a Wetland of International Importance. This is under something called the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It means they are special places for many different animals.
Lots of bird species live around the lake. You might see birds like the Curlew Sandpiper or the Black Swan. Other cool birds include the Australian Pelican and the Cape Barren Goose.
Sometimes, rare birds like the Orange Bellied Parrot are spotted here. The Southern Mount Lofty Ranges Emu Wren has also been seen. And guess what? The large Murray Cod fish also lives in the lake!
A Look Back in Time
For thousands of years, the Ngarrindjeri people have lived around Lake Alexandrina. They are an Indigenous Australian group. This area is very important to their culture and history.
The first Europeans to find the lake were seal hunters in 1828. Then, in 1830, an explorer named Charles Sturt arrived. He traveled a long way down the Murrumbidgee, Darling, and Murray Rivers by boat. Sturt named the lake after Princess Alexandrina. She later became Queen Victoria of England.
Lake Alexandrina became very important in the 1870s. This was when paddle steamers started using the Murray River system. They carried goods between New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The town of Milang, which is on the lake, became a busy port.
Fun Things to Do
Today, Milang and Lake Alexandrina are popular places for holidays. People love to visit for fun activities. You can go sailing, enjoy power boating, try fishing, or even go for a swim. It's a great spot for a family getaway!
