Shark Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shark Lake |
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 Shark Lake
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Goldfields-Esperance, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°45′59″S 121°51′34″E / 33.76639°S 121.85944°E |
| Type | Freshwater |
| Primary inflows | Groundwater and surface runoff |
| Basin countries | Australia |
Shark Lake is a special freshwater lake in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It is located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of the town of Esperance. This lake is a very important place for animals and plants.
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Discovering Shark Lake
Shark Lake is part of the Shark Lake Nature Reserve. This reserve covers an area of about 16.1 hectares (40 acres). It is one of the few places on the south coast with permanent freshwater lakes and wetlands.
How Shark Lake Gets Its Water
The lake mainly gets its water from natural drainage. This water comes from nearby farming areas to the north. When there is more runoff from farms, the water quality of the lake can change. Also, rising water tables from land clearing can affect the lake.
Why Shark Lake is Protected
In 1972, Shark Lake Nature Reserve was officially made an 'A class' reserve. This means it is a very important area. It was set aside to protect its unique plants (flora) and animals (fauna).
What is the Land Like Around Shark Lake?
Shark Lake is located in an area called the Esperance sand-plain. This land is gently rolling, with small hills. The soil is mostly deep and sandy. It has grey sands over yellow clay. Around the lake, the soil is a grey-white loamy sand.
The lake water is not completely fresh. It has an average salinity of 1.7 ‰. This means it has a small amount of total dissolved solids (salt and other minerals).
Animals and Birds at Shark Lake
Shark Lake is a vital safe place for animals during dry times. Many birds gather here in the summer. A total of 40 different bird species visit the lake throughout the year.
Some of the birds you might see at Shark Lake include:
- Avocet
- Greenshank
- Hooded dotterel
- Black swan
- Reed warbler
- Brown bittern
- Hoary-headed grebe
- Little grassbird
- Australian white ibis
- Buff-banded rail
Plants Around the Lake
The low-lying swampy areas near the lake are mostly covered by Melaleuca trees and bushes. Other common plants include Calothamnus quadrifidus and Acacia cyclops.
Along the edges of the lake, you can find mixed low heaths. These are small, shrubby plants. There are also thick beds of sedges. These sedges include Baumea articulata, Isolepis nodosa, Juncus species, and Schoenus brevifolius.
