Lake Tikitapu
{{short description|Crater lake in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Lake Tikitapu
| image = Tikitapu.jpg
| alt = Lake Tikitapu
| caption = Lake Tikitapu
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| image_map = {{Infobox mapframe |area_km2=1.4|point=none|shape-fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=1}}
|pushpin_map=North Island
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Tikitapu
| location = North Island
| coords = {{coord|38|12|S|176|20|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = crater lake
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment = {{convert|6.2|km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries = New Zealand
| length = {{convert|1.6|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1.3|km|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|1.4|km2|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|19.1|m|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|27.5|m|abbr=on}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|417.3|m|abbr=on}}{{rp|24}}
| islands =
| cities =
| reference = {{cite book| editor = Viner, A.B.|last1=Lowe| first1=D.J.| last2=Green| first2=J.D.| title = Inland waters of New Zealand| pages = 471–474| publisher = DSIR Science Information Publishing Centre| location = Wellington| year = 1987| isbn=0-477-06799-9}}
}}
Lake Tikitapu, more commonly known as Blue Lake, is the smallest of four small lakes lying between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. The other three are Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake), Lake Ōkāreka, and Lake Ōkataina.
The lake is named in English for its stunning aqua blue colour, which can be attributed to the pumice and rhyolite that lies on the lake bed.
Geography
Lake Tikitapu is south-east of Rotorua over a saddle and surrounded by native forest covered hills. The lake has a mean autumn height of {{convert|417.3|m|ft}} above sea level.{{cite web| title=Nitrogen discharge from the groundwater system to lakes and streams in the greater Lake Tarawera catchment GNS Science Consultancy Report 20151108| first1=P| last1=White| first2=M | last2=Toews| first3=C| last3=Tschritter| first4=A| last4=Lovett| url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/670484/nitrogen-discharge-from-the-groundwater-system-to-lakes-and-streams-in-the-greater-lake-tarawera-catchment.pdf |access-date=26 August 2023| year=2016}}{{rp|24}} The lake has a flat bed and, as a collapsed volcanic crater, it only has a maximum depth of {{convert|27.5|m|abbr=on}}. There are no permanent surface outflows and only a seep near the northern end may be a permanent inflow.{{rp|52}} The lake is {{convert|1.4|km2|abbr=on}} in size,{{rp|55}} with a catchment size of 620 hectares,{{Cite web|title=Lake Tikitapu Water Quality|url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/bay-of-plenty-region/lakes/lake-tikitapu/|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)}} giving a modelled catchment precipitation inflow of {{convert|302|L/s|abbr=on}}.{{rp|56}}
=Geology=
Lake Tikitapu was formed as the result of a lava dam generated during the Rotoroa rhyolitic eruption sequence, at the south-western margins of the Ōkataina Caldera now dated at 15,635 ± 412 cal.yr BP,{{cite web |last1=Lowe |first1= David |last2=Ilanko |first2= Tehnuka |date=2023 |title=Pre-conference tephra data workshop – Hands-on session II: tephra excursion, Okareka Loop Road (29 January 2023) |publisher=University of Waikato |url= https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/15537 |access-date=27 August 2023}}{{rp|15}} which separates it from Lake Rotokakahi to the south.{{rp|52}} The lake is closely related to the Ōkāreka Embayment on the western margins of the Ōkataina Caldera and it is possible that the Te Rere rhyolite eruption of 25,171 ± 964 years BP was also relevant to its formation.
Activities and leisure
On the lake, swimming, boating, trout fishing and watersports are popular activities. Both rainbow trout and brook trout reside in the lake, making it very popular with experienced and recreational fishers.{{Cite web|title=Lake Tikitapu|url=http://www.lakeokareka.org/lake-tikitapu.html|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Lake Okareka|language=en}}
Popular with both locals and visitors; walking and biking tracks surround the lake. The 5.5 km Blue Lake walking track circles the lake and weaves through native bush and exotic conifers of the Whakarewarewa Forest. The track comes to an end, reaching the beaches at the end of the lake.{{Cite web|title=Lake Tikitapu - Blue Lake|url=https://www.rotoruanz.com/things-to-do/cycling-mountain-biking/lake-tikitapu-blue-lake|access-date=2021-04-06|website=RotoruaNZ|language=en}} The track has been graded as easy, with the average walker taking an hour and thirty minutes to complete the track.{{Cite web|title=Blue Lake Track|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/lake-tikitapu-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/blue-lake-track/|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Department of Conservation|language=en-nz}} The Tangaroamihi biking trail connects Lake Tikitapu to the Whakarewarewa Forest mountain bike trail network. It is a grade 2, 2.5 km trail.
The available facilities at Lake Tikitapu include BBQ's and picnic tables, children's playgrounds, ski lanes and boat ramps and public toilets, making it a popular choice for families.{{Cite web|title=Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) - Rotorua Lakes Council|url=https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz:443/our-city/Parksandreserves/lakesreserves/Pages/Blue-Lake.aspx|access-date=2021-04-06|website=www.rotorualakescouncil.nz|language=en-NZ}}
Lake Tikitapu hosts numerous events throughout the year; these events range from rowing regattas, wakeboarding competitions, waka ama events and many more.{{Cite web|title=Lake Tikitapu {{!}} Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme|url=https://www.rotorualakes.co.nz/lake-tikitapu|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Rotorua Lakes}}
History
Lake Tikitapu is immersed in Māori history. The name {{Lang|mi|Tikitapu}} refers to a sacred greenstone, or pounamu, necklace that is believed to have been worn by a daughter of a high ranking chief. It is understood that the daughter lost the necklace as she bathed in the crystal waters.
New Zealand flatwater canoeist, Lisa Carrington, has competed in events numerous times at Blue Lake regattas. In 2018, she won all six of her events,{{Cite web|date=2018-12-04|title=Lisa Carrington wins six from six at Blue Lakes regatta|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/109076236/lisa-carrington-wins-six-from-six-at-blue-lakes-regatta|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Stuff|language=en}} and in 2020 Carrington won both the K1 (single kayak) 200m and K1 500m finals.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-11|title=Olympic Games ace Lisa Carrington makes competitive canoeing return at Rotorua regatta|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/123679364/olympic-games-ace-lisa-carrington-makes-competitive-canoeing-return-at-rotorua-regatta|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Stuff|language=en}}
= Legend of Kataore =
Māori legend also surrounds the lake. Legend says that the Taniwha monster, named Kataore, lived in Lake Tikitapu. Kataore's initial loveable nature had changed as he grew up, and he became a mischievous taniwha who preyed on lone travellers. He was known to devour unsuspecting travelers in one gulp.
Kataore's actions were getting out of hand, and he soon felt the rage of the neighbouring tribes. Kataore later made a detrimental mistake; he swallowed the chief's daughter, as she was on her way to be wed to a young chief, Reretoi. After hearing of this disaster, Reretoi assembled 140 bold warriors to seek revenge. Reretoi and his men managed to draw Kataore out of his cave and noose his neck, attack and slay him with tewhatewha and kotiate. Kataore's body was stripped of his flesh, and his heart was eaten by the tohunga between the Blue and Green Lakes.{{Cite web|date=2017-08-16|title=The Legend of Lake Tikitapu - The Blue Lake|url=https://bluelaketop10.co.nz/legend-of-the-blue-lake|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park, Rotorua}}
References
{{Commons category|Lake Tikitapu}}
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tikitapu, Lake}}
Category:Lakes of the Bay of Plenty Region