Lake Wendouree

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Wendouree
image_lake = Lake wendouree.jpg
caption_lake = looking towards Ballarat
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Ballarat, Victoria
coords = coord|37|33|0|S|143|50|0|E|type:waterbody_region:AU|display=inline,title
type = artificial
inflow = Gong Gong Reservoir, various
outflow = Gnarr Creek outlet, evaporation
catchment =
basin_countries = Australia
length = 2 km
width = 1.4 km
area = 2.38 km2
depth = 2 metres
max-depth =
volume = 3860 megalitres
residence_time =
shore = 6 km
elevation = 450 metres
islands =
cities = Ballarat

Lake Wendouree is an artificially-created and maintained shallow urban lake in the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Since 1864, when a rowing course was first cut through the reedy swamp, it has been carefully nurtured by council and public-spirited citizens. [cite web |url=http://www.ballarat.com/lake.htm |title=Lake Wendouree |accessdate=2008-04-04 |format= |work= ] Lake Wendouree holds significant historical, environmental and recreational values to the Ballarat community. The lake hosted the rowing and canoeing events during the 1956 Olympic Games. As of October 2006 the lake had dried up completely due to prolonged drought conditions. Options to enhance the water supply to Lake Wendouree and improve the reliability of the water level are now being examined. [cite web |url=http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/Parks_and_Environment/Lake_Wendouree/Lake_Wendouree_Water_Supply/index.aspx |title= Lake Wendouree Water Supply |accessdate=2008-04-05 |author= City of Ballarat |date= |work= |publisher=

]

History

In ancient times Lake Wendouree was originally a stream which flowed to the west but a lava flow caused it to be dammed on three sides and it now drains to the east, eventually into the Yarrowee River.

The name Wendouree comes from a local aboriginal word "wendaaree" which means 'go away': a story is told that when William Yuille asked an aboriginal woman the name of the swamp, that was her reply. When Ballarat was first surveyed in 1851 by WS Urquhart the swamp was recorded as Wendouree and the misunderstood name became official. A corroboree was staged at the Wendouree Swamp in March 1857 and was witnessed by a Ballarat Times reporter. [cite book |title=Life After Gold: Twentieth-Century Ballarat |last=Bate |first=Weston |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1993 |publisher= Melbourne University Press |location= |isbn=0522844758 |pages= ]

During the mid 19th century, the outlet stream that flowed from the swamp was dammed, the bank raised and pipes installed to provide Ballarat with its first permanent water supply.

Wildlife

The reed beds and islands provide sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. Of the recorded 166 species, the most commonly seen waterbirds are: Black Swan, Duck, Dusky Moorhen, Swamphen, Coot, Musk Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Silver Gull and Little Pied Cormorant. Information boards at the Fairyland Wetland Walk provide details about species and habitats.

About 100 native water-rats are scattered around the shore and are sometimes seen in Fairyland at dawn and dusk. The diversity of pondlife is rich and attracts numerous school groups making visits for environmental science field studies.

Transport

Double-decker horse-drawn trams began carrying visitors to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in 1887. A vintage electric tramway operates around the lake. The volunteers of the [http://www.btm.org.au Ballarat Tramway Museum] have preserved fifteen trams and memorabilia from Ballarat's tramway era. Attracting twenty thousand passengers each year, it is one of Ballarat's most popular tourist attractions.

Recreation

Boating has long been an important sport and leisure activity on Lake Wendouree which hosted the rowing, kayaking and canoeing events for the 1956 Summer Olympics.The track around the lake provides an interesting 6 km challenge to walking, cycling and running enthusiasts who complete the circuit in their thousands each week, irrespective of the weather. For serious athletes, the record for running the 6 km lap of the lake is 16 minutes and 10 seconds, set in 1992 by Marathon Olympian Steve Moneghetti.In recent years, it has been the venue for the annual Goldfields Festival and Springfest extravaganza.

For many years local schools have held the "Head of the Lake" rowing regatta on Lake Wendouree. As a result of the current drought conditions they are held elsewhere across Victoria.

Drought

The current drought has caused Lake Wendouree to dry up. Despite warnings by the local council and news publications, local enthusiasts have been combing below the surface of the dry lake bed for artifacts, including antique glass bottles.

ee also

* Drought in Australia
* Lake Burrumbeet
* Lake Learmonth

References

External links

* [http://www.ballarat.com/ Ballarat Accommodation and Tourism Directory]
* [http://www.btm.org.au Ballarat Tramways website]
* [http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au City of Ballarat]
* [http://www.chw.net.au Central Highlands Water]