Lake HÄwea
The Lake Hawea is the smallest and northernmost of the five major glacial lakes of New Zealand. It is located in the Otago region. Although the exact meaning is not known, the term Hawea goes back to the name of a local Māori tribe.
With an area of 141 km ² of Lake Hawea is the smallest of the five glacial lakes in the " Southern Lakes " area. The lake is located in a glacier-carved U- valley a few kilometers east of the larger Lake Wanaka, which was created in a similar manner. At the narrowest point ( " The Neck " ) both waters are only about 1000 meters apart. The Lake Hawea is located 348 m above sea level. NN higher than its larger Nachbarsee and has a depth of 392 m at the same time much deeper. It reaches its greatest extent with a length of 35 km in the north-south direction.
The lake is surrounded on three sides by mountain ridges, only the southern shore is formed of a relatively flat, formed about 10,000 years ago glacial moraine where there is the only settlement on the lake, of about 300 inhabitants, place Hawea. Income that accrues to the north Hunter River forms the inflow, while the Hawea River forms the outflow in the south. This opens a few kilometers away, in Albert Town in the Clutha River, the second longest river in the country.
In 1958, the water level was raised artificially by 20 meters, so that the water power plants can meet higher winter electricity demand.
The area is a popular holiday destination. The lake itself is suitable for various types of water sports. Good fishing in the lake is ideal also for fishing for trout and salmon. The surrounding area is a center for adventure tourism dar. In summer, the water surfaces are very often used by jet ski riders, while inviting the skiing in the winter, the adjacent mountain ranges.
- Lake in Australia and Oceania
- Lake in New Zealand
- River system Clutha River
- Otago (Region)