description Lake Carnegie Overview
Lake Carnegie is a large, shallow, saline, internally drained lake in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia. It is an ephemeral waterbody whose wet area changes substantially over time, depending on rainfall and inflow in one of the most remote regions of the continent. The lake was named for Scottish-born explorer David Carnegie, who surveyed parts of inland Western Australia during an expedition conducted in 1896 and 1897.
help Lake Carnegie FAQ
Where is Lake Carnegie?
Lake Carnegie is a large shallow saline lake in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, east of Wiluna. It lies in one of the most remote inland regions of the continent.
Why is Lake Carnegie called ephemeral?
It does not hold a stable body of water throughout the year. After rare periods of significant rainfall it can fill, while in dry years it may shrink to a muddy marsh.
Why is Lake Carnegie saline?
Lake Carnegie is internally drained, so water leaves mainly through evaporation rather than an outlet river. Salts become concentrated in the shallow basin as wet and dry cycles repeat.
How do researchers track changes at Lake Carnegie?
Satellite imagery can show how the lake's wet surface expands and contracts after rainfall. Australia's Digital Earth waterbody data specifically tracks changing wet areas at remote lakes such as Lake Carnegie.
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