Lake Monowai

The Lake Monowai is a lake in Fiordland in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand and a station of the Southern Scenic Route. The 31 sq km lake is located in the southern part of Fiordland National Park, 120 km northwest of the city of Invercargill. It is located in a long, U- shaped curved section of the valley. The outflow concerning the lake takes place in the north- east by the short Monowai River, which flows 8 km in the Waiau River.

The eastern end of the lake is reached via a road from the north-eastern settlement Monowai. In the unpopulated area of the lake are only a few shelters.

Hydroelectric power station

One of the oldest hydroelectric power stations in the South Island, which opened in 1925 Monowai Power Station is fed by the water of the lake. It is located at the mouth of the Monowai River in the Waiau River.

Plans to congestion of the lake to reach a greater height difference and thus more power for the power plant were abandoned in 1970 by the Labour government under Norman Kirk. An independent organization, the Guardians of Lake Manapouri, Monowai, and Te Anau has been set up to monitor the water level.