Lake Ngatu is a dune lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand.[1][2] It is located to the northwest of Awanui, near Waipapakauri.

Lake Ngatu
Lake Ngatu
Lake Ngatu
Location of Lake Ngatu
Location of Lake Ngatu
Lake Ngatu
LocationNorthland Region, North Island
Coordinates35°01′55″S 173°11′53″E / 35.032°S 173.198°E / -35.032; 173.198
TypeClass 1 Perched dune lake
Catchment area177.9 hectares (440 acres)
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Surface area55.54 hectares (137.2 acres)
Average depth2.67 metres (8 ft 9 in)
Max. depth6.26 metres (20.5 ft)
Water volume1,548,165.50 cubic metres (54,672,949 cu ft)
Residence time1.565 years

Lake Ngatu has no inlets or outlets. The lake catchment is primarily manuka/kanuka scrub and fenced pasture.[3] There are houses overlooking the lake.

Recreation

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Lake Ngatu is a popular recreation area, and is easily accessed via West Coast Road and Sweetwater Road. There is a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) loop walking track around the perimeter of the lake.[4]

Water quality and ecology

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The water quality of Lake Ngatu has been highlighted in recent times, with particular concerns of a summer algal bloom threat.[5]

The lake is monitored by Northland Regional Council, and the environmental information can be viewed on the LAWA website.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Place name detail: Lake Ngatu". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  2. ^ "Lake Ngatu Management Plan" (PDF). Northland Regional Council.
  3. ^ "Northland Lakes Ecological Status 2010". Northland Regional Council.
  4. ^ "Lake Ngatu Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Ngatu facing algal bloom threat". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Lake Ngatu Water Quality". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 26 December 2018.
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