Lake Waahi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Waahi |
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Lake Waahi boat ramp
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 Lake Waahi
Location in North Island
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| Location | North Island |
| Coordinates | 37°33′30″S 175°07′30″E / 37.55833°S 175.12500°E |
| Type | riverine lake |
| Primary outflows | Waahi Stream |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 3.2 km (2.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.6 km (0.37 mi) |
| Surface area | 522 hectares (1,290 acres) (open water) |
| Max. depth | 5 metres (16 ft) |
Lake Waahi is a cool lake located right next to the town of Huntly in New Zealand's Waikato Region. It's a special type of lake called a riverine lake. This means it's connected to a big river, the Waikato River, through a short stream called Waahi Stream. There's also a smaller lake nearby, Lake Puketirini, just to the southeast.
Lake Waahi is about 3.2 kilometers long and 0.6 kilometers wide. Its deepest spot is about 5 meters, which is like the height of a one-story building. The main open water part of the lake covers an area of about 522 hectares. The land around the lake is mostly used for farming.
Keeping Lake Waahi Healthy
In the 1970s, Lake Waahi was very healthy. It had lots of macrophytes, which are large water plants that grow in the lake. These plants are important for the lake's ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for many animals.
However, by 1981, the lake changed a lot. It became what scientists call supertrophic. This means it had too many nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus. These extra nutrients caused a huge growth of tiny plants called microscopic algae. This made the water cloudy, or turbid, instead of clear.
Scientists continued to watch the lake until 2004. They found that these changes, like the cloudy water and lots of algae, had not improved much. Keeping lakes healthy is important for all the plants and animals that live there. It also helps people enjoy the lake for activities like fishing or boating.
