Kow Swamp

lake (former wetland) in Victoria, Australia


Kow Swamp is a lake in north-central Victoria, Australia. It was once a swamp. It is now used for water storage.

Kow Swamp
Kow Swamp is in Gunbower County, Victoria (colored red on this map)
LocationNear Gunbower in Victoria, Australia
Coordinates35°57′30″S 144°17′45″E / 35.95833°S 144.29583°E / -35.95833; 144.29583
Typefreshwater lake
Basin countriesAustralia
Max. length7 km (4.3 mi)
Max. width4 km (2.5 mi)
Surface area24 km2 (9.3 sq mi)
Average depth3 m (9.8 ft)
Water volume51,730 megalitres maximum capacity
Surface elevation85 m (279 ft)

Description change

Kow Swamp is in the Murray River valley, about 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) west of the town of Gunbower and the Murray River, in the Shire of Campaspe. Its name comes from the Aboriginal word Ghow means the white gypsum soil found at the swamp. It is a popular site for recreational fishing. The lake is about 7 by 4 kilometres (4.3 by 2.5 mi). Its circumference is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi).[1]

History change

Archaeology change

Kow Swamp is an archaeological site which has produced human skeletal remains dating from the late Pleistocene, over 10,000 years ago.[1]

Irrigation change

Kow Swamp was used to store water from the Murray for irrigation. In 1900 the capacity was increased to 51,730 megalitres.[1]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kow Swamp". Goulburn-Murray Water. Archived from the original on 2012-06-02. Retrieved 2012-03-04.