Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea)

Lake Murray
Landsat image
Lake Murray
Location	Western Province
Coordinates	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 River → Strickland River → Fly River → Gulf 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 Lake Murray Rural LLG, Middle Fly District, Western Province at 7°00′S 141°30′E / 7°S 141.5°E / -7; 141.5, which covers approximately 647 km^2[1] 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.^[2]

Lake Murray is known for a large population of peacock bass that were introduced by Indian merchants.

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  From space (false color)