Lakes and reservoirs of Melbourne facts for kids
Melbourne is a big city in south-eastern Australia. It has many lakes and water areas. Most of the larger lakes are used for fun activities like sailing, rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. Some even allow water skiing or swimming!
Melbourne also has important water storage areas called reservoirs. These reservoirs collect and store the water that the city uses every day. There are also smaller reservoirs or "retarding basins" which help manage stormwater and prevent floods.
The Yarra River flows through Melbourne and has many small lakes and "billabongs" (which are like small, still ponds formed when a river changes course). This article focuses only on lakes and reservoirs found within the Greater Melbourne area.
Contents
Melbourne's Main Lakes
Melbourne is home to several well-known lakes where people enjoy different activities.
Lakes for Fun Activities
Many lakes in Melbourne are perfect for outdoor adventures and sports.
- Albert Park Lake - Found in Albert Park, this lake is famous for its watersports and being part of the Grand Prix racetrack.
- Aura Vale Lake - Located in Menzies Creek, it's a peaceful spot for kayaking and picnics.
- Blackburn Lake - In Blackburn, this lake is part of a wildlife sanctuary, great for nature lovers.
- Cherry Lake - You'll find this lake in Altona, offering nice views and walking paths.
- Edwardes Lake - Situated in Reservoir, it's a popular park with a lake for local recreation.
- Jells Lake - Part of Jells Park in Wheelers Hill, it's a large park with walking trails and a beautiful lake.
- Lillydale Lake - In Lilydale, this lake is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and fishing.
- Lysterfield Lake - Located in Lysterfield, this lake is great for swimming, kayaking, and mountain biking around its shores.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Lakes - These beautiful lakes are found within the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.
- Ornamental Lake
- Central Lake
- Nymphaea Lily Lake
- Patterson Lakes - In Patterson Lakes, this area is a network of canals and lakes, often used for boating.
- Schooner Bay
- Barellan Harbours
- Lake Carramar
- Lake Illawong
- Lake Legana
- Sanctuary Lakes - Found in Point Cook, this is a large lake surrounded by homes and a golf course.
Smaller Local Waterways
Beyond the major lakes, Melbourne has many smaller lakes and wetlands. These often serve local communities for recreation or help manage water flow.
- Coburg Lake - Located near Merri Creek in Coburg North.
- Karkarook Lake & Wetlands - In Heatherton, this area is popular for birdwatching and walking.
- Newport Lakes - In Newport, these lakes are part of a former quarry turned into a park.
- North Lake
- South Lake
- Queens Park Lake - A lovely lake in Moonee Ponds within a historic park.
- Ringwood Lake - Found in Ringwood, it's a central feature of a local park.
- Taylors Lakes - A suburb named after its lakes in Taylors Lakes.
Melbourne's Water Supply: Reservoirs
Melbourne gets its drinking water from large reservoirs. These are like huge natural or artificial lakes that store rainwater and river water. They are super important for making sure everyone in the city has clean water.
Here are some of the biggest reservoirs that supply Melbourne's water:
- Thomson River Dam – This is the largest, holding about 1,068,000 megalitres (that's 1,068,000,000 litres!).
- Cardinia Reservoir, Emerald – Holds about 287,000 megalitres.
- Upper Yarra Reservoir – Stores around 200,000 megalitres.
- Sugarloaf Reservoir, Christmas Hills – Can hold up to 96,000 megalitres.
- Silvan Reservoir, Silvan – Stores about 40,000 megalitres.
- Yan Yean Reservoir – Holds about 30,000 megalitres.
- Greenvale Reservoir, Greenvale – Stores around 27,000 megalitres.
- Maroondah Reservoir – Can hold about 22,000 megalitres.
- O'Shannassy Reservoir – Stores about 3,000 megalitres.
- Devilbend Reservoir - Located in Tuerong, it's also a significant water source.
Smaller Reservoirs and Basins
Besides the main water supply reservoirs, there are smaller ones and "retarding basins." These often help manage stormwater, preventing floods in local areas, or are used for local water needs.
- Cheltenham Reservoir, Cheltenham
- Dandenong Reservoir, Belgrave
- Darebin Reservoirs, Reservoir
- Number 1
- Number 2
- Number 3
- Moorabbin Reservoir, Bentleigh East
- Mornington Reservoir, Mount Eliza
Gallery
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Silvan Reservoir, an important part of Melbourne's water supply.
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Albert Park Lake, a popular spot for recreation.
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Lysterfield Lake, known for its clear waters and surrounding parkland.
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Nympheas Lake, a tranquil area within the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Jells Lake, a beautiful feature of Jells Park.
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Patterson Lakes, a unique canal system.
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Ornamental Lake, another scenic spot in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aura Vale Lake, seen from above.
Images for kids
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Albert Park Lake, surrounded by the Grand Prix racetrack.
