Kow Swamp

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 - Kow Swamp is in Gunbower County, Victoria (colored red on this map)
Kow Swamp is in Gunbower County, Victoria (colored red on this map)
Location Near Gunbower in Victoria, Australia
Coordinates 35°57′30″S 144°17′45″E / 35.95833°S 144.29583°E / -35.95833; 144.29583Coordinates: 35°57′30″S 144°17′45″E / 35.95833°S 144.29583°E / -35.95833; 144.29583
Lake type freshwater lake
Basin  countries Australia
Max. length 7 km (4.3 mi)
Max. width 4 km (2.5 mi)
Surface area 24 km2 (9.3 sq mi)
Average depth 3 m (9.8 ft)
Water volume 51,730 megalitres maximum capacity
Surface  elevation 85 m (279 ft)

Description

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

Archaeology

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

Irrigation

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

References

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