Lake Waihola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Waihola |
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 Lake Waihola
Location in Otago peninsula
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| Location | Clutha District, Otago Region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 46°01′S 170°06′E / 46.017°S 170.100°E |
| Primary outflows | Waipori River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Surface area | 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) |
Lake Waihola is a large freshwater lake in New Zealand's South Island. It is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Milton in the Otago region. The lake covers an area of about 9 square kilometers (3.5 square miles). It is quite shallow, with an average depth of only 0.75 meters (2.5 feet).
Lake Waihola is the bigger of two main lakes in the area. The other is Lake Waipori. Both lakes are very shallow and are surrounded by wetlands. These wetlands include the famous Sinclair Wetlands, which are protected and home to many kinds of wading birds. The lake's name, Waihola, comes from the southern Māori word waihora. This means "spreading waters," which describes how shallow and wide the lake is.
Lake Waihola is a popular spot for people from Dunedin, which is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north. The small town of Waihola, with about 200 people, sits on the lake's eastern side. Here, you can enjoy fishing, yachting, and waterskiing. The lake is also an important place for rowing competitions.
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A Look at Lake Waihola's Past
Lake Waihola played a part in the Central Otago goldrush long ago. Ships would travel up the Taieri River and then across the lake. From the southern side, prospectors (people looking for gold) would walk over the hills to Gabriel's Gully. In the early days, a special boat called a paddle-steamer, named the Betsy Douglas, sailed on the lake. It traveled between Owhiro, near Henley, and Clarendon at the lake's southern end.
Lake Waihola is found at the southern end of the lower Taieri Plain. It is the largest of several lakes that used to be spread out between Lake Waihola and Mosgiel. Some of these other historical lakes included Lake Tatawai, Loch Ascog, Loch Katrine, Lake Potaka, and Silverstream Lagoon.
What Does the Name Waihola Mean?
The name Waihola is interesting because the Māori alphabet usually does not have the letter 'L'. However, you can find 'L' in the Southern Māori dialect. It also appears in other place names in the central and southern South Island, like Wangaloa in Otago and Little Akaloa in Canterbury. The word Waihola is generally thought to be the southern way of saying wai-hora, which means "spreading waters."
Unique Life in Lake Waihola
Lake Waihola has gained international attention because of its special ecosystem. This system is based on a shallow freshwater area that is affected by tides. Since the year 2000, scientists from Denmark have been visiting the lake every year to study it.
There is a local legend that a mysterious animal, called the waitoreke, lives in Lake Waihola. This animal is a type of otter. However, no one has ever officially confirmed that this animal exists.
Health Advice for the Lake
Sometimes, health warnings are issued for Lake Waihola because of algae blooms. For example, a warning was put out in March 2017. These warnings help people know if the water is safe for swimming or other activities.
