Lake Rotopounamu

Lake Rotopounamu
Lake Rotopounamu early on a spring morning
Location Tongariro National Park, North Island
Lake type landslide formation
Primary inflows Four streams
Primary outflows None on surface
Basin countries New Zealand
Surface area 1 km²
Max. depth 9 m

Lake Rotopounamu is a secluded lake in the Pihanga Scenic Reserve, in the Tongariro National Park in New Zealand's Central North Island.[1] It lies at the northwest foot of Mt Pihanga, and was formed by a landslide around 10,000 years ago.[2] The lake is fed by four streams, but has no surface outflow. It is believed to drain underground. [2]

Recreation

Around the lake is a scenic 5 km loop track, which can be accessed from the Pihanga Saddle road (State Highway 47) between Turangi and Tongariro. Walking this track takes about 2 hours.

References

  1. ^ "Place Name Detail: Lake Rotopounamu". New Zealand Geographic Placenames Database. Land Information New Zealand. http://www.linz.govt.nz/placenames/find-names/topographic-names-db/database/index.aspx?p=30109. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
  2. ^ a b Rotopounamu track. Department of Conservation.