Lake Burrumbeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Burrumbeet |
|
|---|---|
 Lake Burrumbeet
Location in Victoria
|
|
| Location | West of Ballarat, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 37°29′35″S 143°38′13″E / 37.49306°S 143.63694°E |
| Type | Eutrophic |
| Primary inflows | Burrumbeet Creek, Blind Creek, Bo-Peep Creek |
| Primary outflows | Baillies Creek (when full); evaporation |
| Catchment area | 228 km2 (88 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 6.6 km (4.1 mi) |
| Max. width | 4.7 km (2.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 24 km2 (9.3 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Max. depth | 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) |
| Water volume | 38,000 ML (8.4×109 imp gal; 1.0×1010 US gal) |
| Surface elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
Lake Burrumbeet is a large but shallow lake in central western Victoria, Australia. It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Ballarat. The lake is also 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Melbourne.
Lake Burrumbeet is known as a "eutrophic" lake. This means it has a lot of nutrients. Sometimes, this can lead to too much plant growth. The lake is a major wetland. It is used for fun activities like boating, fishing, and camping.
This lake is the biggest of four shallow lakes in the Ballarat area. It covers about 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi). The land around the lake is very important historically. Many Aboriginal camp sites have been found there. There are also interesting geological spots along its shore.
About Lake Burrumbeet's Water
Lake Burrumbeet is a big open body of water. It covers about 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi). The main water source for the lake is Burrumbeet Creek. Other smaller areas to the north and south also feed into it.
The lake's water also gets a boost from the Ballarat North Treatment Plant. This plant releases 2,000 megalitres (440,000,000 imp gal; 530,000,000 US gal) of treated water each year. The water leaves the lake from its southwest side. It flows into Baillie Creek, which then joins the Hopkins River. The amount of water leaving the lake can be controlled. This is done using special boards. The bottom of the lake is mostly sand and mud. There are also some rocky areas.
The land around the lake is used for grazing animals. This has caused the lake's water to become saltier. This happens especially during dry weather. When water levels are low, the salt becomes more concentrated. High nutrient levels can also lead to algal blooms. These are times when tiny water plants grow very fast. The lake's water often looks cloudy. Its clearness changes with the seasons.
Lake Burrumbeet's Past
Before Europeans arrived, the area around Lake Burrumbeet was home to the Burrumbeet balug clan. These people were part of the Wada wurrung nation. The lake provided them with lots of food. Short-finned eel was a very important food source. The name Burrumbeet comes from an Aboriginal word. Burrumbidj means 'muddy or dirty water'. Old tools and artifacts have been found on the lake's northern edge.
European settlers came in 1838. Thomas Livingstone Learmonth and his brother started a farm north of the lake. Early settlers found the weather very extreme. Days were hot and nights were freezing cold. In 1839, the lake bed was completely dry. It stayed dry for several summers. In 1840, Mrs. Andrew Scott even drove a cart across the dry lake bed. The lake dried up again in 1944.
On October 21, 1965, a small plane crashed into the lake. Two people died in the accident. Most of the plane's parts were removed. Years later, when the lake was dry, more wreckage was found. People believe some of these pieces were taken as souvenirs.
Animals and Plants of Lake Burrumbeet
Lake Burrumbeet is a great place for fishing. It is one of the best places in Victoria for redfin perch. These fish can weigh up to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb). Many anglers enjoy fishing here.
Other fish found in the lake include:
- Short-finned eel (up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb))
- Roach
- Tench
- Goldfish
- Flat-headed gudgeon
- Australian smelt
- European carp
Sometimes, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. When this happens, it becomes a very good spot for trout fishing. Short-finned eels are also caught here for sale. You can often see birds like black swans on the lake.
Not much natural plant life remains around the lake. This is because the land has been used for farming for a long time. However, there are some very old river red gum trees. These trees are near the mouth of Burrumbeet Creek. They are thought to be over 500 years old.
When the lake dries up, a plant called Agrostis Avenacea grows. This plant is also known as fairy grass or tumbleweed. When it dries, its seed heads blow around in the wind. This can be annoying and can also be a fire risk.
