Lake Ōmāpere

Lake Ōmāpere is the largest lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It is located to the North of Kaikohe.

Lake Ōmāpere
Location of Lake Ōmāpere
Location of Lake Ōmāpere
Lake Ōmāpere
LocationFar North District, Northland Region, North Island
Coordinates35°21′S 173°47′E
Primary outflowsUtakura River
Catchment area3,392.8 hectares (8,384 acres)
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Max. length5 km (3.1 mi)
Surface area1,231.5 hectares (3,043 acres)
Max. depth2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft)
Surface elevation237 metres (778 ft)

The lake sits within the Kaikohe-Bay of Islands volcanic field. The lake was formed when an ancient lava flow blocked a valley, forming the northern shoreline. [1][2] It is five kilometres in length and covers 12.3 km², however it is only 2.6 metres deep (and as low as 1.5 m during summer). The lake has few inflow streams, mostly in the southern part of the lake. The Utakura River (south-western margin) is the main outflow which goes to the Hokianga Harbour. The lake catchment is predominantly pasture, with a few areas of native scrub and mature bush.[3]

Culture and history

Lake Ōmāpere is of great cultural and environmental value to Māori tangata whenua.[4]

In May 1845 the Battle of Puketutu, an engagement of the Flagstaff War, occurred at the pā of Hone Heke at Puketutu, on the shores of Lake Ōmāpere.[5]

The lake level was lowered between 1903 and 1929,[6] but by 1947 silting had restored much of its level.[7]

Water quality and ecology

The water quality in the lake is generally poor and the lake is prone to blooms of toxic algae.[8] The lake is monitored by Northland Regional Council, and the environmental information can be viewed on the LAWA website.[9]

The Lake Ōmāpere Restoration and Management Project aims to develop and implement a voluntary lake management strategy that will work towards improving the health of the lake and help assist the Lake Omapere Trustees in their role as kaitiaki.[10]

References
  1. "Northland Regional Council State of the Environment Report 2002 - The State of the Lakes of Northland" (PDF). Northland Regional Council. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  2. "OMAPERE, LAKE". Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  3. "Northland Lakes Ecological Status 2010". Northland Regional Council. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  4. "Lake Ōmāpere and the Utakura River". niwa.co.nz. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  5. "Puketutu and Te Ahuahu - Northern War". Ministry for Culture and Heritage - NZ History online. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  6. "Ngapuhi Fisheries Limited Final Report" (PDF). NIWA. 2009.
  7. "Maori Rights In Lake Prevent Drainage NORTHERN ADVOCATE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 Jan 1947. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  8. "Lake Omapere". Northland Regional Council. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  9. "Lake Omapere Water Quality". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  10. "Lake Omapere Restoration". Northland Regional Council. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
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