Lakes of Victoria
Lakes are waterbodies which range is size from small ponds to vast waterbodies. Lakes play a vital role in being a habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, source of freshwater, and as recreational areas for human enjoyment.
Risk to lake water quality includes eutrophication, which is when excessive nutrients lead to harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and a related loss of biodiversity. Climate change is also a risk to lakes, where changes in temperature and precipitation impact water levels, and ecosystems.
Significant lakes within Victoria include:
- Gippsland Lakes system, is located in the Gippsland region. The Gippsland Lakes include several major lakes, including Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria, and Lake King, as well as has several interconnected lakes, lagoons, and wetlands. The lakes are connected by channels and rivers, including the Latrobe River, Thomson River, and Avon River. The Gippsland Lakes system is managed by multiple agencies and organisations, including Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee, Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
• Lake Bolac is located in western Victoria. Lake Bolac is part of the Lake Bolac Reserve, which includes surrounding wetlands and bushland. It is a shallow lake known for birdwatching and is also popular for fishing. Lake Bolac is managed by Parks Victoria.
• Lake Wendouree is located in Ballarat. Lake Wendouree is an artificial lake that used to be the town water supply. It is now an important recreational lake, providing boating, fishing, and picnicking. Lake Wendouree is managed by City of Ballarat.
Significant wetlands of Victoria
Wetlands are vital ecosystems with unique water, soil, and vegetation. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, bogs, and mangroves. Wetlands are known for their ability to act as natural water filters, cleaning water by trapping sediment and pollutants. Wetlands also provide buffering capacity against floods, as they absorb excess water during heavy rain events. This reduces the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.
Wetlands provide habitat to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Many species are unique to wetlands as they have adapted to their wetland environment. Unfortunately, these important ecosystems are amongst the most threatened from a global perspective. Urbanisation, agriculture, and drainage for development have contributed to loss and degradation of many wetland areas. Conservation efforts are critical to protect wetlands.
The Ramsar convention was adopted in 1971 to protect significant wetlands globally. Ramsar wetlands are wetland sites that have been listed as of being of international significance. Australia has 67 Ramsar wetlands, Victoria has 12 Ramsar wetlands. DEECA manages the obligations to manage the Victorian Ramsar wetlands.
The 12 Ramsar wetlands of Victoria include:
- Barmah Forest
- Corner Inlet
- Edithvale Seaford
- Gippsland Lakes
- Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay
- Gunbower Forest
- Hattah-Kulkyne Lake
- Kerang Wetlands
- Lake Albacutya
- Port Phillip (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula
- Western District Lakes
- Western Port
Water Storages
Victoria relies on its network of water storages to capture and store rainfall and runoff. Water storages serve the needs of urban water supply, agriculture, industry, and the environment.
Some of the key water storages in Victoria include:
- Thompson Reservoir is located in the Victorian Alps. Thompson Reservoir collects water from the Thompson River. Thompson Reservoir is on of the major water supply storage for the greater Melbourne area. Thompson Reservoir is managed by Melbourne Water.
- Dartmouth Dam is located in northeast Victoria on the Mitta Mitta River. Dartmouth Dam is the largest capacity dam in Victoria. The Dartmouth Dam was constructed for the purposes of flood mitigation, hydroelectricity generation, and irrigation. Water releases from Dartmouth Dam support the environmental flows downstream, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin. These flows are important to maintain healthy river ecosystems, support native fish populations, and provide habitat for flora and fauna. Dartmouth Dam is managed by Goulburn-Murray Water on behalf of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Victoria has a 50% share of inflows to Dartmouth. Dartmouth Dam is also used for recreational activities including boating, fishing, camping, and bushwalking.
- Lake Hume is a reservoir located on the Murray River near Wodonga. Lake Hume provides water for irrigation, urban water supply, and environmental flows. Lake Hume is also used for recreational activities including boating, fishing, and camping. Lake Hume is jointly managed by Victorian and New South Wales authorities on behalf of the MDBA. Goulburn-Murray Water manages water and land located in Victoria. Water NSW manages the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the reservoir. Victoria has a 50% share of inflows to Hume.
- Lake Eppalock is located in central Victoria. It is located on the Campaspe River. Lake Eppalock is a reservoir that was constructed for the purposes of water storage, irrigation, and recreation. Lake Eppalock is managed by Goulburn-Murray Water. The lake is surrounded by bushland and is a common birdwatching location.
Reviewed 11 June 2024