Lake eyre floods this wet season after significant rainfall 20220222 p5yeza.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 4 years ago

Wet weather has the usually dry Lake Eyre Basin flowing

Romy Gilbert

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Significant rainfall in South Australia has filled the wondrous, free-flowing catchments of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin, bringing with it colour and life.

Australia's inland Channel Country has welcomed the rain and the rare sight of water filling the usually dry lake.

As the various rivers flood and flow, the salt-encrusted Lake Eyre landscape transforms.

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Jackboot Bay - Lake Eyre North sees water levels rise after years of drought.

Jackboot Bay on Lake Eyre North sees water levels rise after years of drought. Larry Cowley Photography.

The great salt lake lies in the south-western corner of the Great Artesian Basin, a closed inland basin about 1,140,000-square-kilometres in area that is drained only by intermittent streams.

Lake Eyre fills completely only an average of twice in a century, but partial, minor fillings happen more often during wet weather events.

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Lake Eyre transforms after rain turns red to green.

Lake Eyre transforms after rain turns red to green. Trevor Wright-William Creek Hotel

Water fills Lake Eyre catchments in South Australia.

Water fills Lake Eyre catchments in South Australia. Trevor Wright William Creek

Evaporation rates in the region are so high that most of the rivers in the basin dry up before reaching the lake.

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The waters of the Diamantina and other lifeline rivers can feed the lake only when they are in flood after heavy rains.

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