Lake Cowal

Lake Cowal, located 47 km North East of West Wyalong, is the largest inland lake in New South Wales, Australia. Fed by the small Bland Creek and occasional flooding of the Lachlan River, this charming lake has managed to retain water in about 70% of years despite being ephemeral. The lake boasts a variety of flora and fauna that make it an ideal destination for wildlife and nature seekers. Lake Cowal's unique location, surrounded by woodlands and grasslands, makes it home to a variety of endange

These species are protected, so make sure to keep an eye out for them when you visit.

Lake Cowal holds significant ecological importance and has been recognized for its value. It was added to the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia in 1998 and is listed as a Landscape Conservation Area by the National Trust of Australia. Additionally, Lake Cowal was listed on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate in 1992.

The area surrounding Lake Cowal is rich in minerals, especially gold. Evolution Mining, who acquired it from Barrick Gold in 2015 for US$550m, currently mines the area. Environmental groups and the local Wiradjuri Aboriginal people have expressed concern that the cyanide used in the mining process before 2007 could contaminate the lake. The mine has been producing gold since 2006 and produced 238,000 ounces of gold in 2016. The resource is estimated to still contain approximately 5,000,000 t