Lake Ruataniwha
Lake Ruataniwha is an artificial lake in the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand. It was formed in 1977–1981 as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project. It lies on the traditional boundary of the Canterbury and Otago provinces, with the town of Twizel two kilometres to the north.
| Lake Ruataniwha | |
|---|---|
Rowing on Lake Ruataniwha | |
Lake Ruataniwha | |
| Location | South Island |
| Coordinates | 44.281°S 170.071°E |
| Type | Artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Ōhau River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Surface area | 3.4 km2 (1.3 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 458 m (1,503 ft) |
The lake takes its name from the Ruataniwha Station, a large sheep-station in the area, part of which the NZ Electricity Department purchased as the site for the township of Twizel (founded in 1968). Ruataniwha was a Māori chief who drowned when the canoe Arai-te-uru sank near Moeraki in the 12th century CE.
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