Lake Tekapo
{{Short description|Lake in the South Island of New Zealand}}
{{For|the town on its shore|Lake Tekapo (town)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Lake Tekapo
| native_name = {{native name|mi|Takapō}}
|image_map={{Infobox mapframe |zoom=9|point=none|shape-fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=1}}
| pushpin_map= New Zealand
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Tekapo
| image = LakeTekapoNov242024 05.jpg
| caption =
| alt = Lake Tekapo
| image_bathymetry =
| alt_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Mackenzie District, Canterbury region, South Island
| coords = {{coord|43|53|S|170|31|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=title}}
| type =
| inflow = Godley River (north), Macauley River (north), Mistake River (west), Cass River (west)
| outflow = Tekapo River
| catchment = {{convert|1463|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries =
| length = {{convert|27|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} (max), {{convert|3.5|km|mi}} (mean)
| area = {{convert|87|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (summer), {{convert|82|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (winter),
| depth = {{convert|69|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|120|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|6|km3|e6acre.ft|abbr=on|lk=out}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|710|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities =
}}
File:Lake Tekapo in New Zealand (53724091225 a897db05fa o).jpg (5 May 2024)]]
Lake Tekapo ({{langx|mi|Takapō}}) is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand (the others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Ōhau). It covers an area of {{convert|83|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and is at an altitude of {{convert|710|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.
In Māori culture
"Tekapo" is a misspelling of {{lang|mi|Takapō}}, the name of the lake in the Māori language. {{lang|mi|Takapō}} means "to leave in haste at night".{{Cite web|date=2019-07-13|title=Tekapo or Takapō? One of NZ's world-famous lakes could be in for a name change|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113994852/tekapo-or-takap-one-of-nzs-world-famous-lakes-could-be-in-for-a-name-change|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite magazine|first=Matthew |last=Cattin |date=2020-11-17|title=Spelling may change for Wakatipu and Tekapo|url=https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/spelling-may-change-for-wakatipu-and-tekapo/|access-date=2021-02-19|magazine=Wilderness Magazine|language=en-GB}}
In 2021, the Mackenzie District Council announced that it will start using the dual names of Tekapo and Takapō when referring to Lake Tekapo.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-27|title=Mackenzie District council to start using the dual name of Takapō/Tekapo|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/437295/mackenzie-district-council-to-start-using-dual-name-of-takapo-tekapo|access-date=2021-03-01|website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
According to Ngāi Tahu mythology, Lake Tekapo being one of the lakes dug by the Waitaha explorer Rākaihautū using his Polynesian digging stick, which was called Tūwhakaroria. After arriving in the Uruao waka at Nelson, Rākaihautū divided his people into two groups. Rākaihautū led his group down the middle of the island, digging the South Island freshwater lakes. His son, Rakihouia, led the other group down the east coast of the South Island.{{Cite news |title=Maori place names of Canterbury: including one thousand hitherto unpublished names collected from Maori sources. |last=Beattie |first=J.H |pages=8–30 |work=Otago Daily Times |year=1945 |location=Dunedin, New Zealand}}
= Motuariki island =
Motuariki is a small island in the middle of Lake Tekapo. The legends of Ngāi Tahu tell of Motuariki, who was an ancestor of the Āraiteuru waka that capsized near Shag Point on the Otago coastline. After the waka capsized, many of the passengers went ashore to explore the land. Legend states that they needed to be back at the waka before daylight. Many did not make it, including Motuariki, and he was instead transformed into the island of Motuariki.{{Cite book |title=Maori Lore of Lake, Alp and Fiord |last=Beattie |first=J.H |publisher=Otago Daily Times |year=1945 |location=Dunedin, New Zealand |pages=18}}
Geography
{{original research section|date=January 2025}}
The lake covers an area of {{convert|83|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and is at an altitude of {{convert|710|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. It is fed at its northern end by both the braided Godley River and Macaulay River, which have their sources in the Southern Alps to the north. The meltwater from the Southern Alps is tinged with a light turquoise colour from the glacial silt.{{Cite web |title=Lake Tekapo |url=https://nzfishing.com/central-south-island/where-to-fish/lake-tekapo/ |access-date=2021-02-15 |website=nzfishing.com |language=en-US}} This gives Lake Tekapo its distinctive colour. To the east of Lake Tekapo lies the Two Thumb Range with Mount Toby (2,222 m); Braun Elwert Peak (2,086 m); Dobson Peak (2,095 m) and Mount Maude (1,797 m) amongst the mountains overlooking Lake Tekapo. On the western side of Lake Tekapo. Mount John (1,031 m) is closest to the town with Lake Alexandrina further north and Mistake Peak (1,931 m) sitting towards the head of the lake. Cowans Hill (783m) lies at the southern end of Lake Tekapo behind the township and next to the Tekapo River.
The average water temperature on the surface of the lake varies between a low of 5.8 to 5.9 °C in September and a high of 17 °C in January.{{Cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=J. |last2=Pickrill |first2=R. A. |date=June 1982 |title=Water temperature and turbidity in glacially-fed Lake Tekapo |journal=New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=189–200 |doi=10.1080/00288330.1982.9515962 |issn=0028-8330 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite web |date=2009-10-22 |title=Why Tekapo keeps its dead |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/2992477/Why-Tekapo-keeps-its-dead |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Stuff |language=en}}
The lake is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are located in the township of Lake Tekapo at the lake's southern end. The Lake Tekapo Regional Park, administered by Environment Canterbury, is located on the lake's southern shore. State Highway 8 runs past Lake Tekapo at its southern end.
On a clear day, the taller snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park are visible from Lake Tekapo.
An astronomical observatory is located at Mount John, which is to the north of the town, and south of the small Lake Alexandrina.
= Climate =
Lake Tekapo is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand with annual sunshine hours averaging more than 2,400 each year.{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title=Climate, vegetation and wildlife |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/south-canterbury-region/page-3 |access-date=2021-02-15 |website=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |language=en}}
{{Weather box
|location = Lake Tekapo, elevation {{convert|762|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1925–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high C = 35.0
|Feb record high C = 34.0
|Mar record high C = 30.7
|Apr record high C = 26.1
|May record high C = 22.2
|Jun record high C = 18.5
|Jul record high C = 17.6
|Aug record high C = 21.9
|Sep record high C = 24.8
|Oct record high C = 26.1
|Nov record high C = 28.3
|Dec record high C = 30.6
|year record high C = 35.0
|Jan record low C = -3.2
|Feb record low C = -2.2
|Mar record low C = -5.1
|Apr record low C = -6.5
|May record low C = -11.1
|Jun record low C = -15.6
|Jul record low C = -14.8
|Aug record low C = -13.8
|Sep record low C = -10.1
|Oct record low C = -8.3
|Nov record low C = -5.3
|Dec record low C = -7.0
|year record low C = -15.6
| Jan avg record high C = 30.4
| Feb avg record high C = 29.2
| Mar avg record high C = 26.4
| Apr avg record high C = 22.2
| May avg record high C = 17.8
| Jun avg record high C = 14.9
| Jul avg record high C = 12.8
| Aug avg record high C = 15.2
| Sep avg record high C = 19.8
| Oct avg record high C = 22.4
| Nov avg record high C = 25.5
| Dec avg record high C = 27.3
| year avg record high C = 31.2
|Jan high C = 22.2
|Feb high C = 22.2
|Mar high C = 19.5
|Apr high C = 15.3
|May high C = 11.5
|Jun high C = 7.4
|Jul high C = 6.6
|Aug high C = 8.8
|Sep high C = 12.4
|Oct high C = 15.2
|Nov high C = 17.3
|Dec high C = 20.1
| year high C = 14.9
|Jan mean C = 15.4
|Feb mean C = 15.2
|Mar mean C = 12.7
|Apr mean C = 9.4
|May mean C = 6.4
|Jun mean C = 2.7
|Jul mean C = 1.9
|Aug mean C = 3.8
|Sep mean C = 6.7
|Oct mean C = 9.0
|Nov mean C = 10.9
|Dec mean C = 13.4
| year mean C = 9.0
|Jan low C = 8.5
|Feb low C = 8.2
|Mar low C = 6.0
|Apr low C = 3.5
|May low C = 1.4
|Jun low C = -1.9
|Jul low C = -2.8
|Aug low C = -1.2
|Sep low C = 1.0
|Oct low C = 2.8
|Nov low C = 4.5
|Dec low C = 6.8
| year low C = 3.1
| Jan avg record low C = 1.0
| Feb avg record low C = 2.1
| Mar avg record low C = -0.3
| Apr avg record low C = -2.4
| May avg record low C = -4.0
| Jun avg record low C = -7.8
| Jul avg record low C = -8.6
| Aug avg record low C = -7.4
| Sep avg record low C = -4.1
| Oct avg record low C = -4.0
| Nov avg record low C = -1.8
| Dec avg record low C = 0.5
| year avg record low C = -10.5
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 38.1
|Feb rain mm = 42.2
|Mar rain mm = 29.2
|Apr rain mm = 51.0
|May rain mm = 71.6
|Jun rain mm = 52.1
|Jul rain mm = 50.3
|Aug rain mm = 38.2
|Sep rain mm = 33.8
|Oct rain mm = 44.9
|Nov rain mm = 42.3
|Dec rain mm = 41.1
|year rain mm =
| Jan rain days = 4.9
| Feb rain days = 4.4
| Mar rain days = 4.8
| Apr rain days = 5.9
| May rain days = 7.8
| Jun rain days = 7.2
| Jul rain days = 6.8
| Aug rain days = 7.2
| Sep rain days = 6.4
| Oct rain days = 7.3
| Nov rain days = 5.9
| Dec rain days = 6.2
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan sun = 267.4
|Feb sun = 236.8
|Mar sun = 226.6
|Apr sun = 194.5
|May sun = 151.4
|Jun sun = 143.5
|Jul sun = 148.6
|Aug sun = 183.9
|Sep sun = 209.9
|Oct sun = 233.2
|Nov sun = 252.0
|Dec sun = 256.8
|year sun =
| Jan humidity = 58.6
| Feb humidity = 67.2
| Mar humidity = 72.5
| Apr humidity = 71.4
| May humidity = 77.2
| Jun humidity = 81.7
| Jul humidity = 78.5
| Aug humidity = 76.6
| Sep humidity = 65.6
| Oct humidity = 64.1
| Nov humidity = 60.2
| Dec humidity = 61.1
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}
|source 2 = CliFlo {{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Lake Tekapo Ews
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 10 May 2024}}{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4616, 4970, 24945)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 12 Aug 2024}}
}}
Dark-Sky Reserve
Lake Tekapo and the surrounding district were designated in 2012 as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The area of the reserve is {{Convert|4367|km2|abbr=on}} and as of 2024, this makes it the largest dark-sky reserve in the southern hemisphere. The dark-sky reserve accreditation recognises that the night skies in the area of the reserve are almost completely free of light pollution and ideal for star-gazing.{{Cite web|title=About AMIDSR – Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve|url=https://www.darkskyreserve.org.nz/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=www.darkskyreserve.org.nz}}{{Cite web|title=GO NZ: A South Island family road trip from Christchurch to Tekapo|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-nz-a-south-island-family-road-trip-from-christchurch-to-tekapo/YUE4S3RNRSRONOB7U3QYV6UNR4/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{cite web|url=https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/reserves/aorakimackenzie/ | title=Aoraki Mackenzie (New Zealand)| publisher= International Dark Sky Association| access-date=8 May 2021}} Lake Tekapo and its observatories are a popular destination among astronomers, astrophotographers and tourists interested in star-gazing.{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Jillian |date=28 April 2022 |title=This Is What It's Really Like to Stargaze at a Dark Sky Reserve |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/dark-sky-reserve-mount-john-observatory |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Choubey |first=Neha |date=13 July 2023 |title=Know about Dark Sky Tourism and the Best Places to Experience It |url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/know-about-dark-sky-tourism-and-the-best-places-to-experience-it-gen-008445.html |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=NativePlanet}}{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Stephanie |date=23 June 2021 |title=GO NZ: Matariki special - Māori tourism operator Dark Sky Project |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/go-nz-matariki-special-maori-tourism-operator-dark-sky-project/H3HFPFESCE5GNIH5WHTV3RGSFU/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}
Lupins
Lake Tekapo is also known for its stunning seasonal display of Lupin that bloom along its shores from around Mid November until the end of December.{{Cite web|date=2014-12-15|title=Tips on How and Where to Find Lupins in New Zealand|url=https://www.dangerous-business.com/lupin-spotting-new-zealand/|access-date=2021-02-15|website=A Dangerous Business Travel Blog|language=en-US}} Russell lupins were introduced in the Mackenzie Basin in the 1940s from sowings or lupins planted in garden which had seeds that spread widely. In 1949 Connie Scott, of Godley Peaks Station, scattered lupin seeds along the roadside after purchasing about £100 worth from the local stock and station agent.{{Cite web|title=War of the lupins|url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/war-of-the-lupins/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=New Zealand Geographic|language=en-NZ}} Although beautiful, they modify the ecosystems of braided rivers.{{Cite web|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|title=The impact of lupins|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11313/the-impact-of-lupins|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |language=en}} There were fewer lupins around Lake Tekapo in December 2020, due to the water level in the lake being too high at a vital time in their growth cycle, causing them to fail to flower.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=The mystery of Tekapo's disappearing lupins: Who killed the social media star?|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300187364/the-mystery-of-tekapos-disappearing-lupins-who-killed-the-social-media-star|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Stuff |language=en}}
Drivers have been warned to take care during the lupin season, as many visitors to the area slow down or pull over to admire the lupins along State Highway 8, but this may be unsafe and create the potential for accidents.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-30|title=Motorists warned to take extra care on busy tourist route|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/118513705/motorists-warned-to-take-extra-care-on-busy-tourist-route|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-01|title=Three injured in single-vehicle crash in Tekapo|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/118551253/three-injured-in-single-vehicle-crash-in-tekapo|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Stuff |language=en}}
Hydroelectricity
{{main|Tekapo A Power Station}}
The lake's original outflow was at its southern end, into the Tekapo River. In 1938, construction commenced on a power station, originally due to be finished in 1943 but halted in 1942 by the Second World War. At the same time, control gates were constructed to regulate outflows to the Waitaki Dam downstream. Work restarted in 1944, and the power station, now known as Tekapo A, came online in 1951.{{cite web |url=http://www.brwhiteside.com/0104MEDWaitakiwebBro12.pdf |title=Discover the Waitaki Hydro Scheme |publisher=Meridian Energy |page=5 |access-date=31 August 2021}}
Water from the lake is diverted through a {{convert|1.4|km|ft|abbr=on|adj=on}} tunnel under the town to the power station, with the water originally being returned to the river. With development of the Upper Waitaki hydroelectric scheme in the 1970s, water is now fed into a {{convert|26|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} canal which leads to Tekapo B Power Station on the shores of Lake Pukaki.
In 2008, Tekapo A and Tekapo B hydro stations were refurbished following the upgrade of Benmore and Waitaki.{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/29502/benmore-gets-more-with-first-full-rebuild|title=Benmore gets more with first full rebuild|last=Bruce|first=David |date=30 October 2008|work=Otago Daily Times|accessdate=2008-10-30}}
On 1 June 2011, ownership of Tekapo A and B hydropower stations were transferred from Meridian Energy to Genesis Energy on instruction from the Government.{{cite web
|url=http://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/about-us/news/genesis-energy-set-to-acquire-tekapo-a-and-b-power-stations.cfm
|title=Genesis Energy set to acquire Tekapo A and B power stations
|work=Genesis Energy
|date=13 May 2011
|accessdate=3 March 2012
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013171140/http://genesisenergy.co.nz/about-us/news/genesis-energy-set-to-acquire-tekapo-a-and-b-power-stations.cfm
|archivedate=13 October 2011
}}
In February 2021, Genesis Energy finished an upgrade that strengthened the Tekapo A power station to withstand earthquakes. It involved five years of planning, two years of construction and cost $26.5 million. It was a challenging build to upgrade the infrastructure and tunnels which were built in the 1940s. The Tekapo A power station provides power to almost 100,000 homes.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-22|title=$26.5 million earthquake-strengthening work at Tekapo power station completed|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/300236208/265-million-earthquakestrengthening-work-at-tekapo-power-station-completed|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Stuff |language=en}}
Skifield
{{main|Roundhill Ski Area}}
On the north side of the lake, {{Convert|24|km|abbr=on}} from the Tekapo township is the Roundhill Ski Area situated in the Two Thumb Range, which caters primarily to beginner and intermediate skiers. For advanced skiers, Roundhill Ski Area also has the world's longest and steepest rope tow which runs to the top of the Richmond Range at {{Convert|2133|m|ft|abbr=on}} elevation.{{Cite web|title=Featuring Lake Tekapo – A new rope tow for Tekapo's Roundhill Ski Area. A feature page providing greater details on exciting aspects of tourism in Lake Tekapo.|url=http://www.tekapotourism.co.nz/feature_archive/new_tow_for_roundhill.html|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.tekapotourism.co.nz}}{{Cite web|title=Roundhill|url=https://www.powderhounds.com/NewZealand/Roundhill.aspx|access-date=2021-02-15|website=www.powderhounds.com}}
Buildings and other structures
= Church of the Good Shepherd =
Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd, which, in 1935, was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. The church at Lake Tekapo was designed by Christchurch architect R.S.D. Harman, based on sketches by a local artist, Esther Hope. The church is one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames views of the lake and mountains.{{NZHPT|311|Church of the Good Shepherd|31 December 2019}}
= Bronze sheepdog =
Close to the Church of the Good Shepherd is a well-known bronze statue of a New Zealand Collie sheepdog. Mackenzie Country residents commissioned the statue in recognition of the indispensable role of the sheepdog in their livelihoods. The sculptor was Innes Elliott of Kaikōura, with a dog called Haig, belonging to a neighbour, being the model. Elliott reported the sculpting process took approximately fifteen months. Clay for the model came from the insulator works in Temuka, with a plaster cast of it made and sent to London in 1966, where the statue was cast.{{cite book |last=Elliott |first=Innes |editor-first=Jim |editor-last=Henderson |title=Return To Open Country |publisher=A.H & A.W. Reed |year=1967 |pages=48–49 |chapter=Statue to a Working Sheepdog |isbn=0589003062}}
Fishing
Large brown trout and rainbow trout can be caught in Lake Tekapo. Trolling a lure from a boat is one option for fishing Lake Tekapo. Fishing from the shore is also possible. The best spots for fishing from the shore are to be found around the mouths of the many small streams that flow into the lake. These include the Cass River; Mistake River; Boundary Stream; Glenmore Station Tarn; Coal River and the Macauley River. In 2016 the Fish and Game Council released 45,000 baby salmon into Lake Tekapo to improve fishing stocks{{Cite web|date=2016-10-06|title=Fish and Game release 45,000 more salmon into Lake Tekapo to enhance fishing|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/84892394/fish-and-game-release-45000-more-salmon-into-lake-tekapo-to-enhance-fishing|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Stuff |language=en}} and a further 50,000 were released in 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-11|title=Major salmon smolt release in Lake Tekapo|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/123363644/major-salmon-smolt-release-in-lake-tekapo|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Stuff |language=en}} The upper half of the Tekapo Canal will be closed to fishing over the winter of 2021 to conserve stocks while spawning. The Tekapo Canal is known for very large (trophy-size) rainbow trout.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-04|title=Precautionary closure to Upper Tekapo Canal trout fishery|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/122350185/precautionary-closure-to-upper-tekapo-canal-trout-fishery|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Stuff |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{sister project links|voy=Lake Tekapo|auto=1}}
- [http://www.laketekaponz.co.nz Official Lake Tekapo Tourism Website]
- {{NZHPT|311|Church of the Good Shepherd}}
- [https://mackenzienz.com/destinations/lake-tekapo-village MacKenzie Region New Zealand]
- [http://www.mackenzie.govt.nz MacKenzie District Council]
{{Mackenzie District}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tekapo, Lake}}