Lake Connewarre
Encyclopedia
Lake Connewarre is a shallow estuarine lake
located on the Barwon River
, on the Bellarine Peninsula
near Geelong, Victoria
. It is adjacent to, and downstream from, the freshwater Reedy Lake
. Lake Connewarre is linked to the sea by the mangrove
-fringed channel of the lower Barwon River estuary
, resulting in the lake being subject to tidal flows, with a weir
at the inflow to the lake preventing saline
water progressing upstream.
Lake Connewarre forms part of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site
as a wetland of international importance, with much of the wetland area also part of the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve
. However, most of the land surrounding Lake Connewarre has been cleared for agricultural purposes resulting in environmental degradation
. Water pollution from upriver has also resulted in a drop in water quality, and reduced inflows to the lake have caused silting problems.
because of its conservation significance for several species of wader
s, waterbirds and the Orange-bellied Parrot
.
for short-finned eel
. It also usually contains yellow-eye mullet
, black bream
and Australian salmon
. Other fish may be present, depending on salinity
levels.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
located on the Barwon River
Barwon River (Victoria)
The Barwon River rises in the Otway Ranges of Victoria, Australia, runs through Winchelsea and the city of Geelong, where it is joined by the Moorabool River, and enters the sea at Barwon Heads after passing through Lake Connewarre on the Bellarine Peninsula...
, on the Bellarine Peninsula
Bellarine Peninsula
The Bellarine Peninsula is a peninsula located south-west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, surrounded by Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Bass Strait. The peninsula, together with the Mornington Peninsula separates Port Phillip from Bass Strait...
near Geelong, Victoria
Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
. It is adjacent to, and downstream from, the freshwater Reedy Lake
Reedy Lake
Reedy Lake, historically also known as Lake Reedy, is a shallow 5.5 km2 freshwater lake or swamp on the lower reaches of the Barwon River, on the Bellarine Peninsula near the city Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is included in the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, which is managed by Parks...
. Lake Connewarre is linked to the sea by the mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
-fringed channel of the lower Barwon River estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
, resulting in the lake being subject to tidal flows, with a weir
Weir
A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a river or stream. In most cases weirs take the form of a barrier across the river that causes water to pool behind the structure , but allows water to flow over the top...
at the inflow to the lake preventing saline
Salinity
Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is a general term used to describe the levels of different salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates...
water progressing upstream.
Lake Connewarre forms part of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site
Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site
The Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site is one of the Australian sites listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. It was designated on 15 December 1982, and is listed as Ramsar Site No.266...
as a wetland of international importance, with much of the wetland area also part of the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve
Lake Connewarre State Wildlife Reserve
Lake Connewarre State Wildlife Reserve is a 3411.1 ha Park that contains a diverse range of unique and significant ecosystems including a river, tidal delta, lakes, swamps, salt marshes and grasslands....
. However, most of the land surrounding Lake Connewarre has been cleared for agricultural purposes resulting in environmental degradation
Environmental degradation
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife...
. Water pollution from upriver has also resulted in a drop in water quality, and reduced inflows to the lake have caused silting problems.
Birds
The lake and its associated wetlands are part of the Bellarine Wetlands Important Bird AreaImportant Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
because of its conservation significance for several species of wader
Wader
Waders, called shorebirds in North America , are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. The latter are the skuas , gulls , terns , skimmers , and auks...
s, waterbirds and the Orange-bellied Parrot
Orange-bellied Parrot
The Orange-bellied Parrot is a small broad-tailed parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only two species of parrot which migrate. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upperparts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller...
.
Fish
The lake is fished commerciallyFishing industry
The fishing industry includes any industry or activity concerned with taking, culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing or selling fish or fish products....
for short-finned eel
Short-finned eel
The short-finned eel, Anguilla australis, is one of the 15 species of eel in the family Anguillidae. It is native to the lakes, dams and coastal rivers of south-eastern Australia, New Zealand, and much of the South Pacific, including New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, Tahiti, and...
. It also usually contains yellow-eye mullet
Yellow-eye mullet
The yellow-eye mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri, is a mullet of the family Mugilidae, the only species in the genus Aldrichetta. It is found around New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and southern Australia, from the surface to depths of 50 m...
, black bream
Black bream
Black bream may refer to:* One of two porgies in the genus Acanthopagrus.**Southern black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri**Yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis* Galjoen, Dichistius capensis* Black drummer, Girella elevata....
and Australian salmon
Australian salmon
Australian Salmon, , are medium-sized perciform marine fish of the small family Arripidae . Four species are recognized, all within the genus Arripis...
. Other fish may be present, depending on salinity
Salinity
Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is a general term used to describe the levels of different salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates...
levels.
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