Lake Benmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Benmore |
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Looking south
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 Lake Benmore
Location in South Island
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| Location | Mackenzie, Waimate, and Waitaki Districts, Canterbury region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 44°24′54″S 170°13′14″E / 44.41500°S 170.22056°E |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Ohau, Pukaki, Tekapo, Ahuriri |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Surface area | 75 km2 (29 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 90 m (300 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 362 m (1,188 ft) |
Lake Benmore is New Zealand's biggest artificial lake. It's located on the South Island and is part of the Waitaki River system. This large lake was created in the 1960s when the Benmore Dam was built.
Contents
About Lake Benmore
Lake Benmore covers an area of about 75 square kilometers (about 29 square miles). It can be as deep as 90 meters (about 295 feet). The lake has two main parts, often called "arms."
Lake Arms
One part is the Haldon arm. It gets most of its water from the Tekapo, Pukaki, and Twizel rivers. It also gets water from the Ohau Canal.
The other part is the Ahuriri Arm. This arm is mainly fed by the Ahuriri River. Right below Lake Benmore, you'll find another lake called Lake Aviemore.
Water Quality
In 2020, experts said that the water quality in Lake Benmore was "good." They also noted that the natural environment around the lake was in "high" condition.
Location Details
Lake Benmore is located in the southern part of the Canterbury Region. It stretches across three different local areas: the Mackenzie, Waimate, and Waitaki districts.
Building Lake Benmore
Lake Benmore was created to hold water for the Benmore Dam. This dam is New Zealand's largest earth dam. It was built as part of a big plan to create hydroelectricity (power from water) in the Waitaki area.
The plan to build Benmore Dam was approved in 1957. The lake itself was completely filled with water in December 1964.
What Lake Benmore is Used For
Besides being a reservoir for the Benmore Dam, Lake Benmore is a very popular spot for many activities.
Fishing and Recreation
The lake is a favorite place for fishing. In 2009, it was the second most-fished lake in all of New Zealand. You can find different types of fish here, including brown trout, rainbow trout, and two kinds of salmon: chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. Some of the salmon in the lake have even escaped from nearby salmon farms.
People also enjoy swimming and camping around Lake Benmore. There are many walking paths and trails in the area for visitors to explore.
