Lake Rotongaro facts for kids
Lake Rotongaro is a cool lake found in the Waikato Region of New Zealand. It's west of a town called Ohinewai. This lake is quite big but not very deep. It's special because it connects to the famous Waikato River. You can find it nestled between the Waikato River and a larger lake called Lake Whangape.
Quick facts for kids Lake Rotongaro |
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 Lake Rotongaro
Location in North Island
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| Location | North Island |
| Coordinates | 37°29′00″S 175°07′00″E / 37.48333°S 175.11667°E |
| Type | riverine |
| Primary outflows | Rotongaro Canal |
| Catchment area | 19.5 km2 (7.5 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 2.2 km (1.4 mi) |
| Surface area | 292 hectares (720 acres) (open water) |
| Max. depth | 3.3 metres (11 ft) |
Contents
What is Lake Rotongaro?
Lake Rotongaro is known as a riverine lake. This means it's a lake that is closely connected to a river, almost like a part of it. It gets its water from the Waikato River and also drains back into it. This connection helps the lake stay healthy and full of life.
How Big is Lake Rotongaro?
The lake covers an area of about 292 hectares. To give you an idea, that's like 292 rugby fields! Even though it's wide, it's quite shallow. The deepest part of the lake is only about 3.3 meters (around 11 feet) deep. So, you could almost stand up in some parts if you were tall enough!
The land around the lake, called its catchment area, is mostly used for farming. This area is much bigger, covering about 1,950 hectares.
The Lake's Connections
Lake Rotongaro has a special way of connecting to other water bodies. It has one main outflow, which is like a drain, that leads to a smaller lake called Lake Rotongaroiti.
From Lake Rotongaroiti, the water then flows through a channel known as the Rotongaro Canal. This canal eventually joins the outlet of Lake Whangape, which is a larger lake nearby. Finally, all this water makes its way into the mighty Waikato River. There's even a floodgate structure that helps control the water flow, especially during heavy rains.
What Does "Rotongaro" Mean?
The name Rotongaro comes from the Māori language. It has a cool meaning: "hidden lake." The word roto means "lake," and ngaro means "hidden." This name perfectly describes the lake, as it's tucked away between the larger Waikato River and Lake Whangape.
