Lake Ruataniwha

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Ruataniwha
image_lake =
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location = South Island
coords = coord|-44.281|170.071|type:waterbody_region:NZ|display=inline,title
type = Artificial lake
inflow = Ohau River
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basin_countries = New Zealand
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Lake Ruataniwha is located in the Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand's South Island. An artificial lake, it was formed as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project. The name is Maori, and means "two taniwha".

The Ohau River flows into the lake, which lies on the traditional boundary of the Canterbury and Otago regions. A holiday park is located on the lakeside, and the town of Twizel is located two kilometres to the north.

Lake Ruataniwha is the site of one of New Zealand's main rowing venues. The rowing course was surveyed and anchors put down for lane markers prior to the lake being filled. This work and much more done to prepare the lake as a rowing venue was not officially planned as part of the hydroelectric project, but instead was built on the instruction of the Project Engineer Max Smith as a public service. He took an early retirement due to the ensuing furore.

ee also

* Lake Karapiro
* Maadi Cup