Type Endorheic, hypersaline Area 5.6 km² | Surface area 560 ha (1,400 acres) | |
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Location Western District Lakes, Victoria | ||
Lake Beeac, a hypersaline endorheic lake, is located near Colac in the Lakes and Craters region of the Victorian Volcanic Plains of south-west Victoria, in southeastern Australia. The 560-hectare (1,400-acre) lake is situated about 19 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Colac, and its high salinity gives it a milky-blue colour. The lake is part of the Ramsar-listed Western District Lakes site, and enjoys international recognition of its wetland values and some protection for its waterbirds.
Contents
Map of Lake Beeac, Victoria, Australia
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. Birds have been known to come from as far as Siberia and China to eat the lake's shrimp. The lake is an important habitat for wetland water-birds. 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.
History
In the late 19th century, salt factories were established on the shores of Lake Beeac and other nearby lakes.