Lake Batyo Catyo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Batyo Catyo |
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 Lake Batyo Catyo
Location in Victoria
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| Location | North Central Victoria |
| Coordinates | 36°30′54″S 142°56′21″E / 36.51500°S 142.93917°E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Souths Creek, Richardson River |
| Primary outflows | Donald Channel |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 2.3 km2 (0.89 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Settlements | St Arnaud, Donald |
Lake Batyo Catyo is a man-made freshwater lake in North Central Victoria, Australia. It is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) west of the town of St Arnaud.
Normally, the lake covers an area of 230 hectares (about 568 acres). It is usually about 2.5 meters (8 feet) deep. Water flows into the lake from the Richardson River through Souths Creek. It also receives water from three smaller reservoirs to its southwest. Lake Batyo Catyo is where these waterways end.
History of Lake Batyo Catyo
Lake Batyo Catyo was built in 1961. Its main purpose was to store water for irrigation. Irrigation is when farmers bring water to their crops or animals. The lake helped farmers grow cereal crops and support dairy farms.
Water from the Richardson River was sent into the lake when the river had a lot of water. This created a reservoir that could hold a lot of water. It usually held about 1,130 million liters (298 million gallons). It could hold up to 2,250 million liters (594 million gallons).
In recent years, Lake Batyo Catyo has also become a popular spot for fun activities. People enjoy waterskiing and other water sports there. Visitors often stay in the nearby towns of Donald and St. Arnaud.
Animals of Lake Batyo Catyo
Lake Batyo Catyo is home to several types of fish. You can find Murray cod, golden perch, and redfin perch here.
However, the fish's living areas can be affected by droughts. A drought is a long period with very little rain. During droughts, the lake's water levels can drop, which makes it harder for fish to live and thrive.
Plants of Lake Batyo Catyo
The area around Lake Batyo Catyo has many native plants. These plants are common in grassy wetlands.
Along the shoreline, you will mostly see River Red Gum trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Other plants like Canegrass (Eragrostis infecunda), Tangled Lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta), and spiny sedge (Cyperus gymnocaulus) also grow there. On the southern and southwestern sides of the lake, you can find stands of Black Box trees (Eucalyptus largiflorens).
Some special plants that are considered threatened species also live here. This means they are at risk of disappearing. These include the Pale Spike sedge (Eleocharis pallens), Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheeli), and Turnip Copperbur (Sclerolaena napiformis).
In the 1960s, land upstream was cleared. This caused the water in the lake to become saltier. But a study in 2006 showed that there was still enough fresh water. This fresh water helps the plants that live there continue to grow.
