In the centre of Canberra is a huge man-made lake, the Burley Griffin. It was completed in 1964 after a dam was built on the Molongo River, which flowed between the city centre and the Parliamentary Triangle (a complex of government buildings). The lake is 11 kilometres long, with its widest part stretching for 1.2 kilometres. The average depth is 4 metres and the maximum depth is 18 metres, near the Scrivner Dam. The dam itself was built to prevent floods occurring here every 5,000 years.
The lake is named after Walter Burley Griffin, an American architect who designed the development of Canberra in the early 20th century. It is indeed located in the geographical centre of the city, and is its main jewel. The National Gallery, National Museum, State Library, Australian National University and Supreme Court are built on its shores, and the Parliament House is a five-minute walk away. The lake is surrounded by parks and squares, a favourite recreational spot for city dwellers, especially during the hotter months. Although it is not customary to swim in the lake, it is used for many sports as well as fishing.
The parkland around the lake covers an area of 3,139 square kilometres. Some parks have been specifically designed as recreational areas, such as Commonwealth Park, Weston Park, King's Park and Grevillea Park, as well as Lennox Gardens and Commonwealth Square. Commonwealth Park, located on the north shore of the lake, is one of the most popular with Canberra residents. It hosts the Floriad Flower Festival every year, which is attended by around 300,000 people. It is Australia's largest flower festival. Weston Park on the western shore of the lake is famous for its forested areas with coniferous trees.
There is a cycle path around the lake, which on weekends is filled with cyclists, rollerbladers, joggers and walkers. Fireworks displays are often organised on the shores of the lake, for example on New Year's Eve, and since 1988 the Skyfire fireworks show has been held. In the summer, the lake is used for numerous triathlon and aquathlon competitions.
In 1970, the James Cook Memorial was unveiled on the lake, erected to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the captain's first voyage along the east coast of Australia. The unveiling of the Memorial was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The Memorial itself consists of a fountain in the centre of Lake Burley Griffin and a model of the globe at Regatta Point. The fountain is powered by two pumps, throwing up to 250 litres of water per second to a height of 147 metres. On some occasions, the fountain is illuminated with illumination.
