Partner Living Lakes
The Wilderness Foundation,
Wildlands Conservation Trust
Partner Lake since
1998 (Foundation member)
Origin
sinking sea level
Age
25,000 to 18,000 years
National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1999)
Ramsar Site (since 1986)
Size St. Lucia Lake
350 sq. km [km²]
Length
40 km + 20 km tidal channel
Size of the protected area
2,550 sq. km [km²]
Water volume
525 billion of cubic m [m³]
Maximum depth
5 m
Sea level
+ 0,5 m (wet period)
- 0,4 m (dry period)
Catchment area
14,860 sq. km [km²]
In-flows
5
Largest in-flow
Nyalazi river
Out-flow
Estuary (Indian Ocean)
Salinity
0 to 70 ppt,
depending on in-flow and tides
Precipitation per year
1,037 mm (700 to 1,200 mm)
Mean air temperature
22 °C
Frozen over
never
iSimangaliso Wetland Park (until October 2007: Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park)
Location
South Africa, Province KwaZulu Natal
Vegetation
world´s highest wooded dunes, grassland, swamps Reedbeds, papyrus jungle, bushland, savannah
Animals
991 species
Reptiles
1,000 Nile crocodiles > 1 m
Nesting birds
530 species
Water birds max.
60,000 flamingos
Mammals
800 hippos
Biggest problem
drainage of Mfolozi swamps
Greatest success
recognition as "World Heritage"