The year 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of European settlers first encountering the 'noble expanse of water' of Lake George in New South Wales. Since 1820, unofficial observations and official measurements of the lake's water level have been recorded almost continuously by various individuals, research teams, government departments and private companies. The lake's recent hydrographic history has been characterised by periods of flood and drought, which correspond with the prevailing rainfall conditions of SE Australia. This is the longest water level record of its sort in the Southern Hemisphere and hence of great scientific and historic value. Here, we have compiled all available historic water level data for Lake George, referenced them to common datums and presented a methodology for continuing the record using satellite imagery in lieu of on-site measurements.

Acknowledgements:The authors wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the traditional owners of the land upon which Lake George is situated. We also repeat the call of numerous people before us for the return of the lake's traditional name. Whether that be Weereewa or Ngungara, as people of non-indigenous decent, we are in no place to say. However, either would be preferable to the name of a monarch who never stepped foot in Australia, let alone on the shore of the lake.During the course of this study Bear McPhail passed away. His academic guidance, passion for Lake George, and friendship were pivotal for the production of this work. We miss him tremendously and we dedicate this work to his memory.For the early stages of this research, M. Short received financial support from the Australian Government in the form of an Australian Postgraduate Award, and from the Australian National University in the form a research scholarship.Research funding was partially provided by a Linkage Grant awarded by the Australian Research Council for the Lake George Project (LP140100911).We thank Timothy Purves (Senior Analytics Engineer, Icon Water) for providing the Icon Water lake level data during the years 2013-15 and permission to publish those data.The Keatley family, of the Luckdale property on the eastern shore of Lake George, graciously provided access through their property to collect samples and install sensors at Rocky Point between 2013 and 2017. Peter Keatley was an especially valuable source of information and history because of his many years living on the edge of the lake.