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Giant lake has plenty to offer

CANBERRA'S Lake Burley Griffin is named after the Chicago-born architect, Walter Burley Griffin, who was responsible for designing the national capital.
It was constructed in 1963 and follows the flood-plain of the Molonglo River from which it was dammed.
The Molonglo was once a modest river, bordered by willow trees and meandering along a dusty flood plain but an ornamental lake was always part of Griffin's original plans for Canberra, so in 1963 the valves were closed to seal Scrivener Dam and form the lake.
The lake today...
Lake Burley Griffin is the picturesque centerpiece of Canberra, capital of Australia. The lake is like an oasis breaking Canberra's natural bush landscape.
Situated on the edge of the lake you'll find some of Canberra's most popular attractions including the National Gallery of Australia, Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre, the High Court of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the National Capital Exhibition, the National Library of Australia and Government House, home of the Governor General.
The lake is a hub of activity on any given day. On the weekends in the warmer months the lake comes alive with windsurfers and sail boats, particularly around the area of the Canberra Yacht Club, near Lotus Bay.
Other popular activities in the lake's central basin include rowing, kayaking, fishing and paddle-boating - a variety of small boats, aqua and hydro boats, canoes kayaks, and small catamarans can be hired from Lake Burley Griffin Boat Hire on the lake's shore.
There are also regular lake cruises with Southern Cross Cruises, Canberra Electric Cruise and Lakeside Ferry Services.
Canberrans and visitors love the lake. Its shores are a great vantage point from which to see incredible sunrises and sunsets across the seasons. Early morning often sees joggers and walkers along the foreshores and rowers gliding across the water against a backdrop of mist with the rays of the rising sun reflecting on the glassy surface.
All year round people walking around the lake's edge can hear the bells of the National Carillon chiming... the sound wafts gently over the lake and creates a peaceful ambience.
In summer there are several concerts and activities held on the shores of the lake. In autumn the lake is the venue for several significant events including the Canberra Balloon Fiesta in April 2006 in which over 50 hot air balloons launch from the reflection pond in front of Old Parliament House and drift over the lake.
In spring Canberra's premier flower festival, Floriade, is held at Commonwealth Park on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin.
Commonwealth Place on the edge of the southern side of the lake features an award-winning fine dining restaurant, Waters Edge, the annex of the National Portrait Gallery and an international flag display.
The Jerrabomberra Wetlands located at the Queanbeyan end of the lake are home to many black swans, one of the ACT's emblems, which cruise the lake and provide much entertainment for onlookers.
One of the lake's most eye-catching features is the Captain James Cook Memorial Water Jet. It is located in the central basin of the lake, directly in front of the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point. The jet sends water to a maximum height at 147 metres, pumping it from and returning it to the lake.
Of late the Kingston Foreshore Development is progressing which means a high level of Canberrans will be living in lakeside apartments in Kingston not far from the city centre.

Lake statistics

Total area: 664 hectares (including the central basin at 103ha)
Total volume: 33 gigalitres (equal to about 16,500 olympic swimming pools)
Total shoreline length: 40.5km
Elevation: 555.93 metres above sea level
Length: Approximately 9km
Number of islands: 6 (3 main, 3 small)
Deepest zone: 21 metres at the former site of an old quarry close to Government House.
Most shallow zone: 1.9 metres in East basin.

Quirky facts about the lake...

The former Royal Canberra and Federal Golf Courses, a rubbish dump, a quarry, the Acton race course, Springbank Homestead, sports fields, a country hall, Chinese market gardens and about 15 cottages were among the features which disappeared when the lake was filled. Many important aboriginal artifacts are also believed to be under water.
When London's historic Waterloo Bridge was demolished in 1936 some of the large, flat stones from the 119 year old structure were donated to the Commonwealth Government. The stones were stored in quarries around Canberra for decades and eventually were used in the embankment supporting Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
Prime Minister Robert Menzies had the opportunity to have the lake named in his honour but rejected it. He expressed concern that Griffin had no memorial in the city he designed, so naming the lake after him was more appropriate.