Lower Nihotupu Reservoir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lower Nihotupu Reservoir
Looking south, the reservoir from the Rainforest Express bush tram line.
Lower Nihotupu Reservoir Location in New Zealand Auckland
Location	Auckland, North Island
Coordinates	36°57′32″S 174°36′48″E / 36.9588°S 174.6132°E / -36.9588; 174.6132
Type	Reservoir
Basin countries	New Zealand
Surface area	52.9 ha (131 acres)
Water volume	4.60×10^6–4.81×10^6 m3 (3,730–3,900 acre⋅ft)

The Lower Nihotupu Reservoir (or Lower Nihotupu Dam) is one of five reservoirs in the Waitākere Ranges that supply water to Auckland. Built between 1945 and 1948, the reservoir covers an area of 52.9 hectares and has a capacity of 4.6 million cubic metres. The reservoir is managed by Water Care Services Limited, a council-owned company.

The dam is credited as one of the first applied examples of the soil mechanics science in New Zealand, and was soon followed by the creating of engineering geology as a major subject at the University of Auckland Faculty of Engineering.