Tasmania has an abundance of lakes, including the continent's largest permanent natural freshwater lake, Great Lake, and the deepest, Lake St Clair. These lakes are created and shaped by geological, geomorphic, and other processes. Glaciation created many of Tasmania's lakes, by scouring bedrock troughs and forming basins from glacial till.
For information about man-made lakes and Tasmania's hydro-electric schemes visit the Hydro Tasmania web site at http://www.hydro.com.au/home/ then go to the 'Energy' link then 'Tasmanian Hydro Electric Schemes'.
AREA OF MAJOR LAKES, Tasmania
|
Lake | Area (km2) |
|
Lake Gordon(a) | 271 |
Lake Pedder(b) | 239 |
Great Lake(b) | 170 |
Arthurs Lake(b) | 64 |
Lake Sorell(b) | 52 |
Lake Burbury(a) | 49 |
Lake King William(a) | 42 |
Lake Echo(b) | 40 |
Lake Mackintosh(a) | 30 |
Lake St Clair(b) | 30 |
Lake Pieman(a) | 22 |
(a) Man-made.
(b) Natural lake enlarged by dams.
Source: 1:25,000 topographic maps, Information Land Services, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. |