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Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea)

Lake Murray
Lake Murray.png
Landsat image
Location Western Province
Coordinates 7°00′S 141°30′E / 7°S 141.5°E / -7; 141.5Coordinates: 7°00′S 141°30′E / 7°S 141.5°E / -7; 141.5
Primary inflows June, Boi, Bwe, Kaim, Mamboi Rivers
Primary outflows Herbert RiverStrickland RiverFly RiverGulf of Papua
Basin countries Papua New Guinea
Max. length 63 km (39 mi)
Max. width 18 km (11 mi)
Surface area 647 km2 (250 sq mi)
Max. depth 10 m (33 ft)
Shore length1 2,038 km (1,266 mi)
Surface elevation 59 m (194 ft)
Settlements Lake Murray
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Murray is the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. It is located in the Middle Fly District, Western Province at 7°00′S 141°30′E / 7°S 141.5°E / -7; 141.5, which covers approximately 647 km² and in the wet season increases to five times the size. It has a highly convoluted shoreline more than 2000 km long. The lake has been a source of nourishment for many of the local peoples. Freshwater sawfish have been caught in its shallow waters to feed the crocodiles in a farming operation.

Indigenous tribes of around 5000 people own the lake and the surrounding one million hectares of forest.

Also, a cryptid known as "Murray" purportedly lives, or used to live, in the lake. This creature was described as resembling a theropod dinosaur such as Tyrannosaurus.. Along with the "Murray", Lake Murray is known for a large population of Peacock Bass that were introduced by Indian merchants.

from space (false color)

In 2003, logging company Concord Pacific was forced out of the area by Greenpeace and other NGO's. 100,000 hectares of ancient forest was degraded by the logging along the Kiunga-Aiambak road.

Lake Murray was the site of a Greenpeace Australia Pacific Global Forest Rescue Station. Forty volunteers from 25 countries worked with the local Kuni, Begwa and Pari tribes to identify and mark land ownership. The boundary marking was the precursor to a community based eco-forestry project. Ecotimber has since been harvested, shipped to Australia and sold with the benefit of Forestry Stewardship Council certification.


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