Blue Lake (Otago) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Lake |
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Blue Lake in June
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 Blue Lake
Location in Otago peninsula
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| Location | Otago region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 44°51′59″S 169°48′38″E / 44.866485°S 169.810417°E |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
Blue Lake is a small lake found next to the town of Saint Bathans in Central Otago, New Zealand. This lake is special because it was not always there. It is a man-made lake. It formed from old gold mining work.
Contents
How Blue Lake Was Made
The story of Blue Lake begins with gold mining. In 1873, a type of mining called hydraulic mining started here. This method uses powerful jets of water. The water washes away hillsides to find gold.
The Kildare Hill Gold Claim
A miner named John Ewing started the St. Bathans Channel Company. His company wanted to mine for gold at a place called Kildare Hill. They used hydraulic mining to dig for gold.
Digging the Deepest Hole
John Ewing's company built channels to carry away the dirt. They also used a method called hydraulic elevating. This method lifts the gold-bearing gravels. As they dug, Kildare Hill changed a lot. It went from being a 120-metre tall hill to a 68-metre deep hole. This became the deepest hydraulic elevating operation in the world!
Mining Stops and the Lake Forms
Work at Kildare Hill stopped in 1902. The miners could no longer wash away the dirt. John Ewing faced financial difficulties around 1905.
Another company, the Scandinavian Water Race Company, took over. They continued mining until 1932. They stopped because they worried about making the town of St. Bathans unstable.
After the mining stopped, something amazing happened. Rain and water from the surrounding hills filled the giant hole. This water created the beautiful Blue Lake we see today.
Blue Lake Today
Today, Blue Lake is a very important part of St. Bathans. It is a popular spot for many fun activities. People love to go swimming in its clear waters. It is also a great place for fishing. You can also enjoy bodyboarding and kayaking on the lake.
