Lake Eppalock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Eppalock |
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Lake Eppalock pictured in 2010
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 Location of Lake Eppalock in Victoria
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | North central region, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 36°51′55.5″S 144°31′19.5″E / 36.865417°S 144.522083°E |
| Purpose | Water supply, irrigation |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1960 |
| Opening date | 1964 |
| Owner(s) | Goulburn–Murray Water |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | |
| Height (foundation) | 47 m (154 ft) |
| Length | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Dam volume | 14,170×103 m3 (500×106 cu ft) |
| Spillways | 3 |
| Spillway type | Controlled chute |
| Spillway capacity | 8,040 m3/s (284,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Eppalock |
| Total capacity | 304,651 ML (6.7014×1010 imp gal; 8.0480×1010 US gal) |
| Catchment area | 2,124 km2 (820 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 30.11 km2 (11.63 sq mi) |
| Maximum width | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Maximum water depth | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Normal elevation | 193.8 metres (636 ft) AHD |
| Website Lake Eppalock at Goulburn–Murray Water |
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Lake Eppalock is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) in North Central Victoria, Australia. It is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of Melbourne. This lake was created by building a huge dam called Eppalock Dam. The dam holds back water from the Campaspe River and the Coliban River.
Lake Eppalock is located between the towns of Bendigo and Heathcote. It is a very important source of water for these towns and for farms in the Campaspe area. Besides providing water, Lake Eppalock is also a popular place for sports and fun outdoor activities.
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Building the Dam and its Features
The Eppalock Dam was built by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission of Victoria. Construction started in 1960 and finished in 1964. The dam wall is about 45 meters (148 feet) high and 1,041 meters (3,415 feet) long.
When the lake is completely full, it can hold over 304,651 megalitres of water. To give you an idea, one megalitre is a million liters! The surface of Lake Eppalock covers about 30.11 square kilometers (11.63 square miles). The area that collects rainwater for the lake is about 2,124 square kilometers (820 square miles).
The dam has a special part called a controlled spillway. This spillway can release a lot of water very quickly if the lake gets too full. It can let out about 8,040 cubic meters (283,930 cubic feet) of water every second.
Water Supply and Uses
Lake Eppalock is vital for supplying water to many places. It provides water for:
- Farms in the Campaspe irrigation district, helping crops grow.
- Homes and businesses in Bendigo and Heathcote.
- More recently, it also helps supply water to Ballarat.
This lake is the only major water storage on the Campaspe River system. This means it's the main place where water is collected and stored for this river. The lake is managed by Goulburn–Murray Water.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Lake Eppalock is a big attraction for people who love water sports. There are many tourist parks and places to stay around the lake. You can enjoy lots of activities here, including:
- High-speed boating
- Water skiing
- Sailing
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Swimming
The lake's water levels can change a lot. From 2002 to 2010, the lake was very low because of a long drought. This made it hard to do some water activities. But after a lot of rain in late 2010, the lake filled up to 100% capacity!
When the water level drops below a certain point (16% capacity or 180 meters AHD), boats must go slower. A speed limit of 5 knots is put in place for safety. If you want to camp, you can only do so in special caravan parks or on private land with permission from the owner.
The lake overflowed its spillway for the first time since 1996 on November 28, 2010, after heavy rainfall.
Gallery
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A picture of what is known to local residents as the Derrinal Pool, at 64% capacity in October 2010.
Images for kids
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Sunrise over Lake Eppalock
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Sailing on Lake Eppalock
