Lake Eppalock

Lake Eppalock
Lake Eppalock - 1 October 2010
Location	North Central Victoria
Coordinates	36°53′S 144°34′E / 36.883°S 144.567°E / -36.883; 144.567Coordinates: 36°53′S 144°34′E / 36.883°S 144.567°E / -36.883; 144.567
Lake type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Campaspe River System
Primary outflows	Campaspe River System
Catchment area	Lake Eppalock
Basin countries	Australia
Max. width	400 m (1,300 ft) at widest
Surface area	3,011 ha (7,440 acres)
Average depth	20–30 m (66–98 ft)
Water volume	304,651 ML (10,758.6×10^6 cu ft)
Islands	(None)

Lake Eppalock^[1] is a man-made lake located in North Central Victoria, Australia.^[2] It's situated on the Campaspe River between the city of Bendigo and the town of Heathcote and serves as a major water storage facility for both places. In the past the lake was a major attraction for those engaging in watersports such as skiing, with a number of tourist parks and accommodation facilities around the lake. Water levels have been low for the last 7–8 years (2002–2010) and had restricted the amount of recreational activities that was possible on the Lake, but recent rainfall in the latter half of 2010 has caused the lake to reach 100% of its capacity.

Activities like High Speed Boating, Water Skiing, Sailing, Canoeing and Fishing are all accepted on the lake. The longest boat ramp is functional to 13% capacity, however a speed restriction of 5 knots is placed on the lake when the level falls below 16% or 180.0 m AHD. (Full Supply Level is 193.8 m AHD.) Camping is permitted only in caravan parks and/or on private land surrounding the lake with a permit from the land owner.

Created in 1961, it remains the only water storage on the Campaspe River system.

The reservoir rose from 8% in June 2010, to full capacity by November.

The lake has overflowed its spillway for the first time since 1996, on 28 November 2010, after significant rain fall over the previous 48 hours.

The lake was full in August 2000, and then ran dry over 2 years, to 2002, where it remained below 15% for 8 years due to drought.

The lake filled in August 2010 and as of October 2011 was at 100%.

A picture of what is known to locals as the Derrinal Pool. (64% - 1 October 2010).

Lake Eppalock is administered by Goulburn Murray Water.

References

1. ↑ Lake Eppalock, Goulburn-Murray Water, retrieved 2011-02-08 
2. ↑ A slide show history of Coliban Water