Lake Ōmāpere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ōmāpere |
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 Lake Ōmāpere
Location in Northland Region
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| Location | Far North District, Northland Region, North Island |
| Coordinates | 35°21′S 173°47′E / 35.350°S 173.783°E |
| Primary outflows | Utakura River |
| Catchment area | 3,392.8 hectares (8,384 acres) |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 1,231.5 hectares (3,043 acres) |
| Max. depth | 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 237 metres (778 ft) |
Lake Ōmāpere is the biggest lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. You can find it north of Kaikohe.
This lake was created a long time ago by a volcano. Hot lava flowed and blocked a valley, which then filled with water. Lake Ōmāpere is about 5 kilometres (3 miles) long. It covers an area of 12.3 square kilometres (4.7 square miles). However, it is quite shallow, only about 2.6 metres (8.5 feet) deep. In summer, it can be as shallow as 1.5 metres (5 feet).
The lake gets most of its water from small streams in the south. The main river flowing out of the lake is the Utakura River. This river eventually reaches the Hokianga Harbour. The land around the lake is mostly used for farming. There are also some areas with native plants and older forests.
Lake Ōmāpere: A Place of History and Culture
Lake Ōmāpere is very important to the Māori people. It holds great cultural and environmental value for the local tangata whenua (people of the land).
In May 1845, a battle took place near the lake. This was during the Flagstaff War. The battle happened at a fortified village called a pā. This pā belonged to a famous Māori chief named Hone Heke. The pā was located at Puketutu (also known as Te Mawhe Pā) right on the shores of Lake Ōmāpere.
Keeping Lake Ōmāpere Healthy
The water quality in Lake Ōmāpere is often not very good. The lake can sometimes have harmful algae blooms. These are like big growths of tiny water plants that can be toxic.
The Northland Regional Council regularly checks the lake's health. You can find information about the lake's environment on the LAWA website.
There is a special project called the Lake Ōmāpere Restoration and Management Project. Its goal is to make the lake healthier. This project helps the Lake Ōmāpere Trustees. They act as kaitiaki, which means they are guardians of the lake. They work to protect and care for it.
