Lake Batyo Catyo (Victoria)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Batyo Catyo
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = North Central Victoria
coords = coord|36|30|54|S|142|56|21|E|region:AU-VI_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = South's Creek, Richardson River
outflow = Donald Channel
catchment =
basin_countries = Australia
length =
width =
area = 2.3 km²
depth = 2.5 m
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities = St Arnaud, Donald

Lake Batyo Catyo is a freshwater lake located 26km west of the town of St Arnaud in North Central Victoria, Australia.

In normal conditions the lake surface area covers 230 hectares to an average depth of 2.5 metres. It is the terminus for water flowing from the Richardson River via South's Creek and three smaller reservoirs to its southwest.

History

The lake was constructed in 1961 as an irrigation reservoir for dairying and for cereal crops.cite web| title=Major reservoirs not required following completion of the Wimmera Mallee pipeline| publisher=GWM Water| month=September| year=2007| url=http://www.gwmwater.org.au/sm/pdf/major%20res%20not%20required%20final.pdf| accessdate=2008-01-08] Water was diverted from the Richardson River during high-flow periods to create a reservoir holding an average of 1,130 ML and a maximum of 2,250 ML. More recently the lake has been used for waterskiing and other recreational and tourist activities based in the nearby town of Donald.

Fauna

The lake is home to communities of Murray cod, golden perch and redfin perch, [cite web| title=Inland Fish Habitat Protection Extended| publisher=Fish Victoria| month=April| year=2004| url=http://www.fishvictoria.com/pnews/fish_fax/fishfax118.php| accessdate=2008-01-08] [cite web| title=Protecting Fish habitat during Drought| publisher=Sportsfish Australia| month=February| year=2003| url=http://www.sportsfish.com.au/library/fisheries-news/victoria/fish-facts-85.html| accessdate=2008-01-08] though fish habitat has been affected by recent drought conditions. [cite web| title=Fisheries (Inland Fish Habitat) Notice 2006| publisher=Department of Primary Industries, Victoria| month=May| year=2006| url=http://www.vrfish.com.au/FilesUploaded/Fisheries%20Inland%20Fish%20Habitat%20Notice%202006.pdf| accessdate=2008-01-08]

Flora

Native flora include species common to grassy wetlands. The shoreline is dominated by River Red Gum ("Eucalyptus camaldulensis") associated with Canegrass ("Eragrostis infecunda") Tangled Lignum ("Muehlenbeckia florulenta") and spiny sedge ("Cyperus gymnocaulus"). The southern and southwestern shore is also home to stands of Black Box ("Eucalyptus largiflorens")

Three threatened species are present: the Pale Spike sedge ("Eleocharis pallens"), Chariot Wheels ("Maireana cheeli") and Turnip Copperbur ("Sclerolaena napiformis").cite web| title=Avon Plains Lakes Water Management Plan| publisher=Sinclair Knight Merz| month=February| year=2006| url=http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=KMSMedia/pdf/13/21.pdf&fileName=| accessdate=2008-01-08] Upstream land clearing in the 1960's has increased salinity levels in the lake, but a 2006 water quality study indicated sufficient fresh water to maintain existing vegetation.

References