Lakes

Southland has almost 200 lakes,including several large, iconic lakes that are valued highly by people for aesthetic, cultural, recreational and economic reasons. Environment Southland regularly monitors indicators of water quality at several lakes. In addition, spot sampling of water quality has occurred in a number of small, coastal lakes. Some of the sites showing as 'not assessed' are in fact sampled, however there isn't enough data to meet the LAWA criteria for State and Trend: you can still click on these sites to see a graph of the data which is available.

Their unique ecological values are also important for sustaining land and water-based life. Pressures exist on many of our lakes and lagoons, from the intensification of surrounding land use, lake side communities and hydroelectric power. Lake Hauroko in south western Southland was glacially formed and, at a depth of 462 metres, is the deepest lake in the country. Waituna Lagoon located in Awarua, Southland, is both nationally and internationally significant. The lagoon was one of the first sites in the world to be named "a wetland of international significance" under the RAMSAR Convention

Lakes 7