Woody Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woody Lake |
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 Woody Lake
Location in Western Australia
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| Location | Goldfields-Esperance, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°48′49″S 121°54′52″E / 33.81361°S 121.91444°E |
| Type | Saline |
| Primary inflows | Groundwater and surface runoff |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Surface area | 40.1 hectares (99 acres) |
| Average depth | 1 metre (3 ft) |
| Max. depth | 3 metres (10 ft) |
Woody Lake is a special salt lake found in the Goldfields-Esperance area of Western Australia. It's located about 7 kilometers (4 miles) northeast of the town of Esperance. This lake sits between two other lakes: Lake Wheatfield to its east and Windabout Lake to its west.
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About Woody Lake
Woody Lake is a type of lake known as a salt lake. This means its water has a lot of salt, similar to ocean water. The lake covers an area of about 40.1 hectares (100 acres). Its depth can change a lot. It might be completely dry in the summer, but in winter, after a lot of rain, it can be over 1 meter (3 feet) deep. Sometimes, it can even reach a maximum depth of 3 meters (10 feet).
Part of a Special Nature Reserve
Woody Lake is located within the Woody Lake Nature Reserve. This reserve is quite large, covering about 565 hectares (1,396 acres). It was officially set aside as a protected area in 1970. Later, in 1978, it was re-established with a double purpose: for people to enjoy recreation and to protect the plants and animals living there. The reserve includes most of Woody Lake, Windabout Lake, and Wheatfield Lake.
The Lake Warden System
Woody Lake is an important part of a bigger group of wetlands called the Lake Warden System. This system also includes Lake Warden and is recognized as a Ramsar site. A Ramsar site is a wetland that is very important for nature around the world.
The lakes in this system are connected by channels. Water from Coramup Creek flows into Lake Wheatfield first. Then, it moves from east to west through a clear channel directly into Woody Lake. When Woody Lake gets too full, its water flows into Windabout Lake. In years with a lot of rain, water from Windabout Lake can even flow into Lake Warden.
Salty Water and Wildlife
The water in Woody Lake is salty, with an average salinity of about 7.37 parts per thousand. This means for every 1,000 parts of water, 7.37 parts are salt. The amount of salt can change depending on how much rain falls.
Even though it's salty, these lakes are home to many animals, especially birds. At least 59 different kinds of waterbirds have been seen in the nature reserves around Lake Warden, Woody Lake, and Mullet Lake. These birds rely on the lakes for food and a place to live.
