Lake Alexandrina (South Australia)

Lake Alexandrina
Lake Alexandrina is the largest of the Lower Lakes
Lake Alexandrina Location in South Australia
Location	South Australia
Coordinates	35°25′S 139°07′E / 35.417°S 139.117°E / -35.417; 139.117Coordinates: 35°25′S 139°07′E / 35.417°S 139.117°E / -35.417; 139.117
Type	Freshwater
Primary inflows	Murray, Bremer, Angas, and Finniss Rivers
Primary outflows	Murray Mouth
Catchment area	1,061,469 km2 (409,835 sq mi)
Basin countries	Australia
Surface area	64,900 ha (251 sq mi)
Average depth	2.8 m (9.2 ft)
Max. depth	6 m (20 ft)
Water volume	1,610 GL (430×10^9 US gal; 350×10^9 imp gal)
Surface elevation	0.75 m (2.5 ft)
Settlements	Clayton Bay, Milang, Raukkan

Lake Alexandrina is a freshwater ephemerallake located in the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island and Murray Mallee regions of South Australia, adjacent to the coast of the Southern Ocean, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) south-east of Adelaide. The lake adjoins the smaller Lake Albert; together they are known as the Lower Lakes.

Names reported as being used for the lake by aboriginal people having an association with the lake include Mungkuli, Parnka and Kayinga.

The lake was named after Princess Alexandrina, niece and successor of King William IV of Great Britain and Ireland. When the princess ascended the throne and took the name Queen Victoria there was some talk of changing the name of the lake to Lake Victoria, but the idea was dropped.

Lake Alexandrina is located north of Encounter Bay and east of Fleurieu Peninsula within the two following South Australian government regions - the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island region and the Murray Mallee region. The Murray River is the major river to flow into Lake Alexandrina. Others include the Bremer, Angas, and Finniss Rivers, all from the eastern side of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges. The lake is shallow and contains a number of islands near the southern end. Loveday Bay is an inlet located at the south-east of Lake Alexandrina, adjacent to Tauwitchere Channel.