Te Anau, Lake

Te Anau, Lake

      lake, the largest of the Southern Lakes, southwest South Island, New Zealand. About 38 miles (61 km) long and 6 miles (10 km) wide, the lake, with an area of 133 square miles (344 square km), has four western extensions—Worsley Arm and North, Middle, and South fjords. Fed by the Clinton and Eglinton rivers, it drains a 1,275-square-mile (3,302-square-kilometre) basin. Occupying a valley that was deepened by glacial erosion, the lake, whose surface lies 686 feet (209 m) above sea level, has a maximum depth of 906 feet (276 m), placing its bed 220 feet (67 m) below sea level. Water from Te Anau, draining through the Waiau River, is used to maintain a constant level in Lake Manapouri (site of hydroelectric generators). In a superb alpine setting bordered on the west by forested mountains and on the east by farmlands, the lake region is known for fishing and tourism, centred on the town of Te Anau.

      Led by Maori guides, C.J. Nairn and W.J. Stephen were the first Europeans to visit the lake, reaching its shores in 1852. The lake was later surveyed in 1863. The name, probably a shortened form of Te Ana-au, a Maori name meaning “cave of the swirling water,” refers to caves on the west shore. In 1948 one of the few remaining habitats of the large flightless rail—the takahe (Notornis mantelli), a bird once thought to be extinct—was found on the same shore.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Te Anau Lake — Lake, southwestern South Island, New Zealand. The largest of the Southern Lakes, it is 38 mi (61 km) long and 6 mi (10 km) wide, and a source of the Waiau River. In a superb alpine setting bordered by forested mountains, it is known for fishing… …   Universalium

  • Lake Manapouri — Location Southland District, Southland Region, South Island Coordinates 45°30′S …   Wikipedia

  • Lake Te Anau — Infobox lake lake name = Lake Te Anau image lake = On Lake Te Anau.jpg caption lake = image bathymetry = caption bathymetry = location = Southland District, Southland Region, South Island coords = coord|45|12|S|167|48|E|region:NZ… …   Wikipedia

  • lake — lake1 /layk/, n. 1. a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, surrounded by land. 2. any similar body or pool of other liquid, as oil. 3. (go) jump in the lake, (used as an exclamation of dismissal or impatience.) [bef. 1000; ME lak(e) …   Universalium

  • Lake — /layk/, n. Simon, 1866 1945, U.S. engineer and naval architect. * * * I Relatively large body of slow moving or standing water that occupies an inland basin. Lakes are most abundant in high northern latitudes and in mountain regions, particularly …   Universalium

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