Lake Dey Dey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Dey Dey |
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|---|---|
| Location | South Australia |
| Coordinates | 29°12′S 131°4′E / 29.200°S 131.067°E |
| Type | salt lake |
| Basin countries | Australia |
Lake Dey Dey is a salt lake found in South Australia. It is one of many salt lakes located in the eastern part of the Great Victoria Desert. This lake is usually dry, but it can fill with water during and after heavy rainfall.
About Lake Dey Dey
Lake Dey Dey is a type of lake known as a salt lake. This means its water is very salty, and it often dries up. When it's dry, the surface is usually made of clay, silt, or sand. This dry surface is often covered with a salty crust.
The area around Lake Dey Dey is very dry. The water found underground, called groundwater, also has a lot of salt in it. Lake Dey Dey is part of a large natural dip in the land called the Officer Basin. A bigger lake, Lake Maurice, is located to the south of Lake Dey Dey.
Who Owns Lake Dey Dey?
Since 1985, Lake Dey Dey has been part of the lands belonging to the Maralinga Tjarutja people. They are a southern group of the Pitjantjatjara people. The community of Oak Valley is a town located nearby to the southwest of the lake.
Why is Lake Dey Dey Important?
Lake Dey Dey is very important to the culture of the Maralinga Tjarutja people. Both Lake Dey Dey and Lake Maurice have special Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) connected to them. These stories are a big part of their history and beliefs.
Some parts of Lake Dey Dey are very sacred. Only men who have gone through special ceremonies are allowed to visit these areas. The main Tjukurpa story linked to Lake Dey Dey is about Wati Kulpirr. This is an ancestral spirit that looks like an eastern grey kangaroo.
