Lake Pinaroo

Lake Pinaroo
Lake bed when dry
Location	Sturt National Park, Far West New South Wales
Coordinates	29°05′50″S 141°13′30″E
Type	Ephemeral saline or brackish lake
Primary inflows	Frome Creek
Primary outflows	None
Catchment area	Lake Eyre Basin
Basin countries	Australia
Max. length	5 km (3.1 mi)
Max. width	2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area	800 ha (2,000 acres)
Surface elevation	125 m (410 ft)
Ramsar Wetland
Designated	17 March 1996
Reference no.	799

Lake Pinaroo lies in Sturt National Park in the Far West region of New South Wales, Australia. On 17 March 1996 the lake was recognised as a wetland of international importance by designation (RS799) under the Ramsar Convention.

Description

Pinaroo is an ephemeral lake in the arid north-western corner of New South Wales (NSW) near Cameron Corner. It forms the largest terminal basin within the NSW part of the Simpson–Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion. It is subject to erratic flood events interspersed with extended dry periods; once full, it may take up to six years to dry out.

Flora and fauna

Because it holds water for much longer periods than other wetlands in the desert region, it is regionally important as a breeding site and drought refuge for many kinds of animals, especially waterbirds that have bred on, for example, interdune swamps that only retain water for a few months. Waterbirds for which the site is important when inundated include freckled and blue-billed ducks. It is also used as a staging site by migratory waders such as black-tailed godwits, common greenshanks, marsh sandpipers and red-necked stints. It provides opportunities to see large flocks of desert birds such as budgerigars. Other animals recorded at the site are the eastern long-eared bat and interior blind snake.