Lake Mahinapua

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Mahinapua
image_lake = Lake Mahinapua (269042002).jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = West Coast, South Island
coords = coord|42|48|S|170|55|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = New Zealand
length =
width =
area =
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =
frozen =

Lake Mahinapua is a shallow lake on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is roughly 10km south of Hokitika and near the small town of Ruatapu. It was formerly a coastal lagoon, but the buildup of coastal dunes made it an inland lake roughly 500 m from the Tasman Sea coastline.

In 1907, the Lake Mahinapua Scenic Reserve was established to protect the land around the lake, and a number of walking tracks run through this area. Other activities that take place around the lake are picnicking, camping, and various water-based activities. Species of birds such as black swans and grey and mallard ducks live around the lagoon, and the surrounding bush provides a habitat for species such as parakeets and tui.

State Highway 6 passes between the lake and sea on its route between Hokitika and Ross. The Ross Branch railway also once ran past the lake; it opened to Ruatapu on 9 November 1906, was extended to Ross on 1 April 1909, and closed on 24 November 1980.

External links

* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=35219 Department of Conservation - Mahinapua Scenic Reserve]