Lake Kaniere
| Lake Kaniere | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Lake Kaniere  Lake Kaniere | |
| Location | Westland District, West Coast Region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 42°50′S 171°09′E / 42.833°S 171.150°E |
| Primary outflows | Kaniere River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Surface area | 22 km2 (8.5 sq mi) |
Lake Kaniere is located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, and is regarded by many as the most beautiful of the West Coast lakes.[1] The lake is included in the 7000 ha Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve.[1] A small hydroelectric station is located on the Kaniere River, close to the lake's outflow. It is a popular location for leisure activities such as camping, picknicking, jetboating, jetskiing, and water skiing. The lake has been stocked with fish in the past, and mostly contains brown trout.[2]
Geology
Lake Kaniere was created by the action of glaciers in the last ice age 14,000 years ago, like many West Coast lakes. It currently drains into the Tasman Sea at its northern end via the Kaniere River, but in the past its outlet was at the southern end, emptying into the Styx River. This exit was blocked by a landslide, diverting the water north.[1]
Geography
Lake Kaniere lies 19 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Hokitika, between two mountain ranges. At 22 km2 (8.5 sq mi), it is second only to Lake Brunner in size among the West Coast's lakes. Mount Graham is on the west coast of the lake, and Mt Pilot, Mt Upright, and Mt Tūhua can all be seen. Dorothy Falls Road runs up the eastern side of the lake to Dorothy Falls.
Fauna
The streams that feed into the lake are home to several species of native fish, including common bullies, longfin eels, banded kokopu and giant kokopu.[1] Many species of native birds can also be found on and around the lake, such as little shags, black shags, NZ scaup, paradise shelducks and pukeko, and also, rarely, grey ducks.[1]
Flora
Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve is largely composed of mature rimu, and is considered one of the most ecologically-significant areas of lowland forest in the central West Coast.[1] The rimu forest composition varies: on the flat outwash terraces, it contains rātā (Metrosideros) and kaikawaka (Libocedrus bidwillii), while on the slopes there is more supplejack (Ripogonum scandens), kiekie (Freycinetia banksii), and miro(Prumnopitys ferruginea). In the swampier areas there are other tree species including manoao (Manao colensoi), kaikawaka, and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides).[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Wilson, Kerry-Jayne (2013). West Coast Walking. A Naturalist's Guide. Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury University Press. pp. 236–238. ISBN 978-1-927145-42-5.
- ^ Pope, Diana; Pope, Jeremy (1978). Mobil New Zealand travel guide : South Island and Stewart Island (3rd rev. ed.). Wellington [N.Z.]: Reed. ISBN 0-589-00998-2.
External links
Media related to Lake Kaniere at Wikimedia Commons- Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve information at Department of Conservation
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