Day 71 - Lake Argyle

Today we arose to a cold wind lashing the caravan and the shores of Lake Argyle.  It was sunny however so we were not at all constrained. We drove around the Lake’s environs, which included views from a couple of high spots, the 335m dam wall, the power station at its base, Dead Horse Springs, which were as interesting as the name itself, and the reconstructed home of the Duracks.  The Duracks were famous for opening up the area after driving 7500 head of cattle 7000km from Queensland, to this area.  Only 2500 cattle survived the drive. The original homestead was to be inundated when the dam was built in 1969-72, so the house was dismantled stone by stone and reconstructed at a new site on higher ground.  It is now a museum.

After lunch we boarded a launch for a sunset cruise on the Lake.  This was absolutely fantastic.  The Lake is 70km long by about 55km wide and at its design level, contains the equivalent of 19 Sydney Harbours.  Currently it is holding 21 equivalents.  The Dam was constructed across the Ord River. Now, 60km of the river’s route is covered by the Lake.  At its deepest point the Lake is 47m deep.  After the 2011 wet season it was nine metres deeper.  As the dam filled, many islands were created and the mix of islands, hills and huge expanses of water is truly amazing.  The colour variations and shadow effects were amazing too.  We saw the compulsory fresh water crocodiles, fish, water birds and wallaroos.  Some foolhardy souls took a sunset swim in the middle of the Lake while those of us who were less venturesome watched idly by and drank our wine with cheese and biscuits.  A great time was had by all.

One can't do justice to Lake Argyle without some views from the air.  Below is a link (copy and paste into your search engine) which provides some arial photos.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Lake+Argyle&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ZLafU8qyAYnzkQWavYCgCw&ved=0CEIQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=716&dpr=1 

160614 The Ord River Dam - a mere 335m long and holding back water
equivalent to 20 Sydney harbours

160614 The Ord River Dam from its base

160614 The hydro power station at the base of the dam

160614 The Carr Boyd Range as backdrop to some islands in Lake Argyle

160614 A freshwater crocodile sunning itself on the shores of one of Lake Argyl's islands

160614 A wallaroo joey on one of the islands

160614 The mother Wallaroo standing a short distance from her joey

160614 An island in Lake Argyle

160614 A tinnie or two while having a sunset swim in the middle of Lake Argyle