Lake Te Anau (Māori: Te Ana-au)[1] is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km2 (133 sq mi), making it the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand (after Lake Taupō) and the largest in the South Island. It is the second largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume.[2] The main body of the lake runs north-south, and is 65 km in length. Three large fiords form arms to the lake on its western flank: North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord. These are the only inland fiords that New Zealand has, the other 14 are out on the coast. Several small islands lie in the entrance to Middle Fiord, which forks partway along its length into northwest and southwest arms. The surface of the lake is at an altitude of 210 m. It has a maximum depth of 425 m,[3] so much of its bed lies below sea level, with the deepest part of the lake being 215 metres below sea level.
The Lake Te Anau control gates which control the flow of water from Lake Te Anau into the Waiau river and maintain the water level between 201.5 and 202.7 metres above sea level.[4]
Several rivers feed the lake, of which the most important is the Eglinton River, which joins the lake from the east, opposite the entrance to North Fiord. The outflow is the Waiau River, which flows south for several kilometres into Lake Manapouri. The town of Te Anau lies at the south-eastern corner of the lake, close to the outflow.
Most of the lake is within Fiordland National Park and the Te WahipounamuWorld Heritage Site, the latter of which was officially recognised internationally in 1990. Other than the Te Anau township, the only human habitation close to the lake is the farming settlement of Te Anau Downs, close to the mouth of the Eglinton River. Between these two settlements the land is rolling hill country, but elsewhere the land is mountainous, especially along its western shore, where the Kepler and Murchison Mountains rise 1,400 m above the surface of the lake.
Lake Te Anau was important for the Ngāi Tahu iwi[a] in pre-European times as the area was a traditional stopping point on their trails between the east and west coasts of the South Island of New Zealand, where they obtained food and resources. The lake was first discovered by European explorers Charles Naim and William Stephen in 1852.
The English translation of the Māori name Te Anau has been disputed. It was supposed by many that Te Anau was the name of the granddaughter of Hekeia, a chief of the Waitaha tribe, whose name now belongs to a mountain on the Longwood Range.[5][6] When the Te Ana-au Caves were rediscovered in 1948, earlier explanations of the name were replaced by the interpretation of the full name Te Ana-au, Māori for 'The cave of swirling water'.[7]
Flora and faunaedit
Numerous species of wildlife and vegetation are found in the watershed of Lake Te Anau. Vegetative understory includes numerous fern species including the crown fern, Blechnum discolor.[8]
Several species of endangered birds live around the shores of Lake Te Anau, notably the takahē (Notornis hochstetteri). An area between the Middle and South Fiords called the Murchison Mountains is a sanctuary set aside for these birds. The western shore of the lake also features the Te Ana-au Caves.
Recreationedit
Throughout summer the lake is used for boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming and access to Fiordland National Park. The lake is home to both the Marakura Yacht Club and the Te Anau Boating Club.[9] Every year on the weekend of Labour Day a fishing competition is held.[10]
Media related to Lake Te Anau at Wikimedia Commons
January 01, 1970
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Lake Te Anau Maori Te Ana au 1 is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand The lake covers an area of 344 km2 133 sq mi making it the second largest lake by surface area in New Zealand after Lake Taupō and the largest in the South Island It is the second largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume 2 The main body of the lake runs north south and is 65 km in length Three large fiords form arms to the lake on its western flank North Fiord Middle Fiord and South Fiord These are the only inland fiords that New Zealand has the other 14 are out on the coast Several small islands lie in the entrance to Middle Fiord which forks partway along its length into northwest and southwest arms The surface of the lake is at an altitude of 210 m It has a maximum depth of 425 m 3 so much of its bed lies below sea level with the deepest part of the lake being 215 metres below sea level Lake Te AnauMaori Te Ana auLake Te AnauLake Te AnauLake Te AnauLocationSouthland District Southland Region South IslandCoordinates45 12 S 167 48 E 45 200 S 167 800 E 45 200 167 800Primary inflowsEglinton River Clinton River Worsley River Glaisnock River Wapiti River Doon River McKenzie Burn Upukerora RiverPrimary outflowsWaiau RiverBasin countriesNew ZealandMax length65 km 40 mi Surface area344 km2 133 sq mi Average depth168 8 m 554 ft Max depth425 m 1 394 ft Water volume58 06 km3 13 93 cu mi Surface elevation210 m 690 ft SettlementsTe Anau The Lake Te Anau control gates which control the flow of water from Lake Te Anau into the Waiau river and maintain the water level between 201 5 and 202 7 metres above sea level 4 Several rivers feed the lake of which the most important is the Eglinton River which joins the lake from the east opposite the entrance to North Fiord The outflow is the Waiau River which flows south for several kilometres into Lake Manapouri The town of Te Anau lies at the south eastern corner of the lake close to the outflow Most of the lake is within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site the latter of which was officially recognised internationally in 1990 Other than the Te Anau township the only human habitation close to the lake is the farming settlement of Te Anau Downs close to the mouth of the Eglinton River Between these two settlements the land is rolling hill country but elsewhere the land is mountainous especially along its western shore where the Kepler and Murchison Mountains rise 1 400 m above the surface of the lake Lake Te Anau was important for the Ngai Tahu iwi a in pre European times as the area was a traditional stopping point on their trails between the east and west coasts of the South Island of New Zealand where they obtained food and resources The lake was first discovered by European explorers Charles Naim and William Stephen in 1852 Two New Zealand Great Walks start at the lake The Milford Track starts at the northern tip of the lake and the Kepler Track starts and ends at the south tip of the lake at the Waiau River Contents 1 Name 2 Flora and fauna 3 Recreation 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 Sources 8 External linksName editThe English translation of the Maori name Te Anau has been disputed It was supposed by many that Te Anau was the name of the granddaughter of Hekeia a chief of the Waitaha tribe whose name now belongs to a mountain on the Longwood Range 5 6 When the Te Ana au Caves were rediscovered in 1948 earlier explanations of the name were replaced by the interpretation of the full name Te Ana au Maori for The cave of swirling water 7 Flora and fauna editNumerous species of wildlife and vegetation are found in the watershed of Lake Te Anau Vegetative understory includes numerous fern species including the crown fern Blechnum discolor 8 Several species of endangered birds live around the shores of Lake Te Anau notably the takahe Notornis hochstetteri An area between the Middle and South Fiords called the Murchison Mountains is a sanctuary set aside for these birds The western shore of the lake also features the Te Ana au Caves Recreation editThroughout summer the lake is used for boating fishing kayaking swimming and access to Fiordland National Park The lake is home to both the Marakura Yacht Club and the Te Anau Boating Club 9 Every year on the weekend of Labour Day a fishing competition is held 10 See also editList of lakes in New ZealandNotes edit The Maori word for tribeReferences edit Esler Lloyd 11 November 2022 Te Anau a name with a misty history Stuff Retrieved 18 December 2023 Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 23 May 2010 Retrieved 30 August 2009 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Lakes in New Zealand Ministry for the Environment Archived from the original on 15 October 2008 Lake levels Meridian Energy Retrieved 5 May 2023 McLintock A H 1966 Te Anau Lake Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Retrieved 6 September 2015 Taylor W A 1952 Murihiki Lore and History of the South Island Maori Bascands p 148 Retrieved 6 September 2015 Te Anau NZHistory Ministry of Culture and Heritage Retrieved 25 September 2015 C Michael Hogan 2009 Te Anau Boating Club Retrieved 15 February 2017 Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic Retrieved 15 February 2017 Sources editFiordland Map 5th ed 1 255 000 Parkmap Cartography by GeoSmart NZ Ltd New Zealand Department of Conservation 2004 C Michael Hogan 2009 Crown Fern Blechnum discolor Globaltwitcher com ed N StrombergExternal links edit nbsp Media related to Lake Te Anau at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lake Te Anau amp oldid 1190457147, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
