Lake Beeac

Lake Beeac is a hypersaline lake in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located about 19 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Colac and covers an area of 560 hectares (1,400 acres).^[1] Its high salinity gives it a milky-blue colour.^[1]

Wildlife

Despite its extreme salinity, Lake Beeac supports brine shrimp which in turn feed water birds such as the banded stilt and the red-necked Avocet.^[1] Birds have been known to come from as far as Siberia and China to eat the lake's shrimp.^[2] The lake is an important habitat for wetland water-birds. It is part of the Ramsar-listed Western District Lakes site, and thus enjoys international recognition of its wetland values and some protection for its waterbirds.^[1] The lake forms part of the Lake Corangamite Complex Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because it sometimes supports globally important numbers of waterbirds.^[3]

History

In the late 19th century, salt factories were established on the shores of Lake Beeac and other nearby lakes.^[1]

References

Coordinates: 38°12′S 143°37′E / 38.200°S 143.617°E / -38.200; 143.617