Lake Torrens

Lake Torrens
Stuart Creek with Lake Torrens in the background
Lake Torrens Location in South Australia
Location	South Australia
Coordinates	31°02′40″S 137°51′35″E / 31.04444°S 137.85972°E / -31.04444; 137.85972Coordinates: 31°02′40″S 137°51′35″E / 31.04444°S 137.85972°E / -31.04444; 137.85972
Type	Salt lake
Basin countries	Australia
Designation	Lake Torrens National Park
Max. length	250 km (160 mi)
Max. width	30 km (19 mi)
Surface area	5,745 km2 (2,218 sq mi)
Surface elevation	30 m (98 ft)

Lake Torrens is an ephemeral salt lake in central South Australia.

Lake Torrens lies between the Arcoona Plateau to the west and the Flinders Ranges to the east about 345 kilometres (214 mi) north of the Adelaide city centre. The lake is approximately 30 metres (98 ft) above sea level. It is located within the boundaries of Lake Torrens National Park.

Lake Torrens stretches approximately 250 kilometres (155 mi) in length and 30 kilometres (19 mi) in average width. It is Australia's second largest lake when filled with water and encompasses an area of 5,745 square kilometres (2,218 sq mi).

The Lake Torrens catchment is an endorheic basin, having no outflow of water to the ocean.

Approximately 35,000 years ago, the lake water was fresh to brackish, but has become increasingly saline since. The traditional owners of the area are the Arabunna peoples to the north, the Kokatha to the west and the Kyuni to the east. The first European to see the lake was Edward Eyre in 1839 who spotted the salt bed from Mount Arden at the head of the Spencer Gulf. Eyre named the lake after Colonel Robert Torrens who was one of the founders of the South Australian colony.

The lake filled in 1897 and again in April 1989. It has a thin salt crust with red-brown clays beneath, which are soft and boggy. The area around the lake is sparsely vegetated with samphire, saltbush and bluebush.