Lake Albacutya

35°45′21″S 141°58′28″E / 35.75583°S 141.97444°E / -35.75583; 141.97444^[1]TypeEutrophicPrimary inflowsOutlet CreekPrimary outflowsOutlet Creek (when full); evaporationCatchment area23,500 km² (9,100 sq mi)Basin countriesAustraliaMax. length13 km (8.1 mi)Max. width5 km (3.1 mi)Surface area55 km² (21 sq mi)Average depth8 m (26 ft)Max. depth8 m (26 ft)Water volume230 GL (5.1×10¹⁰ imp gal; 6.1×10¹⁰ US gal)Designated15 December 1982Reference no.270^[2]

Lake Albacutya (Wergaia: Ngelbakutya)^[3] is an ephemeral lake located in Albacutya within the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia. It is one of a series of terminal lakes on the Wimmera River, which form the largest land-locked drainage system in Victoria. Lake Albacutya is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.^[4]

Location and features

On the occasions that there is an overflow from Lake Hindmarsh to the south, water enters Outlet Creek, (Wergaia: Krumelak^[3]) which then feeds Lake Albacutya. When full, Lake Albacutya covers 5,500 ha (14,000 acres), is 8 m (26 ft) deep, and holds around 230 gigalitres (8.1×10⁹ cubic feet) of water.

The lake generally fills and empties on a 20-year cycle, the longest dry period on record being 27 years.^[5] In 2011 it was reported that the lake had not received any inflow for some years and remained dry throughout the wetter years of 2011–2012.^[6]

Being less saline than Lake Hindmarsh, Lake Albacutya supports a denser cover of vegetation during its dry phase.^[7]

References