10 October, 2011

The lady of the lake - part 1

Or the lake which was named after a lady - perhaps even the Queen, although I can't confirm this. This week-end with the family in tow, I finally made it back to the Otways once again. After a quick detour via the West Barwon Dam, we headed over to the East Barwon and down to the bottom of the walking track which leads to Lake Elizabeth.
Lagoon at Lake Elizabeth

View from the bottom of Lake Elizabeth

Lake views
As I mentioned in a previous post, Lake Elizabeth was formed on 17th June, 1952 when a naturally occurring landslide completely obstructed the East Barwon River for a period of a couple of months before water once again broke through. Then, in August, 1953 after heavy rain, the force of the collected water caused a much larger breach in the dam wall, washing away the top 26 metres. The debris from this breach now lies in pieces along the course of the river whilst the remaining portion of the lake was reduced to about a fifth of its original size.
View from the top of Lake Elizabeth
One of the most striking features of the lake would have to be the numerous dead tree trunks which rise from the waters as a reminder that this place was once just another part of the river valley. For nearly 60 years their skeletal remains have survived drought and flood, giving the lake a rather eerie, abandoned feel.

View from above
On this occasion, the weather was quite still and peaceful, with the exception of a couple of distant peals of thunder which amounted to nothing and with the exception of a couple of walkers on their return journey, we had the place to ourselves...

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