Lake Anneen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Anneen |
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| Anneen Lake: Nannine Lake |
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 Lake Anneen
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 26°56′S 118°18′E / 26.933°S 118.300°E |
| Type | Salt lake |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 120 km2 (46 sq mi) |
Lake Anneen, also called Anneen Lake, is a special salt lake system. It's located in the Mid West part of Western Australia, a state in Australia. This lake is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of a town called Meekatharra. It's listed as an important wetland in Australia.
Contents
About Lake Anneen
Lake Anneen covers an area of about 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi). It has a main body that looks like a rectangle. Two long, narrow arms stretch out from it. One arm goes north towards Meekatharra, bringing water into the lake. Other smaller streams also flow into the lake from the west and north.
The other arm helps water drain out of the lake. This arm reaches almost to the start of the Hope River. When there are very heavy rains, Lake Anneen flows into the Hope River. A low ridge, like a small hill, almost divides the lake in two. The Great Northern Highway now runs along this ridge.
Water Levels and Islands
Lake Anneen is not very deep. It has many islands and peninsulas, which are pieces of land almost surrounded by water. Some parts of the lake always have water. However, the entire lake only fills up after big floods. These floods happen because of heavy tropical rains in summer and autumn. This only occurs every five to ten years.
Wildlife at the Lake
Lake Anneen is a very important place for birds. It's one of the most important breeding spots in Western Australia for two types of terns: the gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) and the whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybridus).
The lake is also a safe place for many other waterbirds. The next closest wetland, Wooleen Lake, is almost 200 kilometres (124 mi) away. This makes Lake Anneen a crucial refuge for birds in the area.
Human Connection to Lake Anneen
The old town of Nannine is located on the northern side of Lake Anneen. Nannine is now a ghost town, meaning most people have left it.
Today, people don't use the lake much for big activities. Some local people enjoy recreational sailboarding on the lake.
Protecting the Lake
There are some things that could potentially harm Lake Anneen. These include animals like cattle or wild animals eating too much of the plants around the lake. Pollution from the nearby highway or gold mines could also be a problem. Protecting this special lake helps keep it healthy for the birds and other wildlife that depend on it.
