Lake Baandee

Lake Baandee, sometimes referred to as Baandee Lake or Baandee Lakes,[2] is an ephemeral salt lake located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) east of Doodlakine and 25 km (16 mi) east of Kelleberrin just off Great Eastern Highway.[1] The town of Hines Hill is also located along the edge of the lake.

Lake Baandee
Lake Baandee
Location in Western Australia
LocationWestern Australia
Coordinates31°36′33″S 117°56′20″E
TypeSalt lake
Catchment area30,000 ha (74,000 acres)[1]
Basin countriesAustralia
Surface area250 ha (620 acres)[1]

Description

The lake is part of the Salt River system which lies within an ancient drainage zone. The landscape is primarily composed of broad, flat valley floors linked by chains of salt lakes, or playa and gently-sloped valley sides containing many rocky outcrops that rises to sandplains that undulate gently. The Salt River falls within the Mount Caroline Vegetation System of the Avon Botanical District. The valley floors contain salt lakes as well as braided discontinuous channels surrounded by lunettes.[3]

The lakes often contain no vegetation and are fringed by salt-tolerant species such as Halosarcia species of samphire, Atriplex species of saltbush and Maireana species of bluebush. These areas are followed by flats with Melaleuca uncinata thickets then into open woodlands of Eucalyptus loxophleba (York gum), Eucalyptus salmonophloia (salmon gum), Eucalyptus salubris (gimlet) and Eucalyptus longicornis (morrel).[3]

History

The traditional owners of the area are the Njakinjaki language group of the Noongar peoples. The name Baandee means "of perspiration of sweat" or "shimmer in a silvery fashion", referring to perspiration in the sun's glare or sunlight reflecting off the salt layer of the dry lake.[4]

The lake and others in the area flooded in 1953, isolating the town of Baandee that lies to the north of the main lake.[5]

Facilities

The lake area has picnic tables and a barbeque area provided by the Inland Water Skiing Club, as well as ablutions and shower facilities built by the Shire of Kellerberrin. Swimming and skiing is possible at the lake for a few months of the year.[6]

See also

References
  1. JDA Consultant Hydrologists (22 December 2011). "Living Lakes Project Stage 1: Part 1 Report Feasibility Study in the Wheatbelt and adjoining regions" (PDF). Department of Regional Development and Lands. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  2. "Baandee Lakes". The Golden Pipeline. National Trust Western Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  3. "Riparian condition of the Salt River - Waterway assessment in the zone of ancient drainage" (PDF). Water resource management series. Department of Water. January 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  4. "Nyungar placename - Baandee". Boodjar - Nyungar Placenames in the South-West of Western Australia. University of Western Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  5. "Baandee". The Golden Pipeline. National Trust Western Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  6. "Doodlakine Baandee Lake". Salt lakes of the Wheatbelt. Central Wheatbelt Visitor Centre. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
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