Lake Tekapo

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Tekapo
image_lake = NZ-L Tekapo.pngcaption_lake = Location of Lake Tekapo.
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
coords = coord|43|53|S|170|31|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Godley River (north), Macauley River (north), Mistake River (west), Cass River (west)
outflow = Tekapo River
catchment = 1,463 km²
basin_countries = New Zealand
length = 27 km
width = 6 km (max), 3.5 km (mean)
area = 87 km² (summer), 82 km² (winter),
depth = 69 m
max-depth = 120 m
volume = 6.00 km³
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 700 m
islands =
cities = Lake Tekapo
reference = Citation|url=http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjmfr/1978/34.pdf|title=Bottom sediments of Lake Tekapo compared with adjacent Lakes Pukaki and Ohau, South Island, New Zealand|last=Irwin|first=J.|periodical=N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research|volume=12|issue=3|page=245-250|date=September 1978|access_date=2007-11-09] __NOTOC__

Lake Tekapo is largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand (the others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau). It covers an area of 83 km², and is at an altitude of 700 metres above sea level.

The lake is fed at its northern end by the braided Godley River, which has its source in the Southern Alps, to the north. The lake is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are located at the township of Lake Tekapo at the lake's southern end. The Lake Tekapo Regional Park, administered by Environment Canterbury, is located on the southern shore of the lake.

An astronomical observatory is located at Mount John, which is to the north of the town, and south of the small Lake Alexandrina.

Hydroelectricity

The lake's original outflow was at its southern end, into the Tekapo River. In 1938 construction commenced on a power station, originally due to be finished in 1943. However, due to the war, construction stopped in 1942. At the same time, control gates were constructed to regulate outflows to the Waitaki Dam downstream. Work restarted in 1944, with the power station now known as Tekapo A going online in 1951.

Water from the lake is diverted through a 1.4 km tunnel under the town to the power station, with the water originally being returned to the river. With the development Upper Waitaki hydroelectric scheme in the 1970s, water is now fed into a 26km canal which leads to Tekapo B on the shores of Lake Pukaki.

Following a turbine failure in 1986, a new Kaplan turbine was installed, with a more efficient design and higher output (42 000 HP) than the original. Today, the power station produces an average of 160 GWh annually, from a 25.2 MW capacity generator. The net head of the station is 30.5 m.

Church of the Good Shepherd

Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd, which, in 1935, was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. The church at Burkes Pass, St Patrick's built in 1872 was the first church built by pioneers as a joint community effort, by Anglicans Presbyterian and Catholic settlers. Also a joint venture between Presbyterians and Anglicans, St Columba in Fairlie was built in 1879. The church at Lake Tekapo was designed by Christchurch architect R.S.D. Harman, based on sketches by a local artist, Esther Hope. The church is arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains.

References

External links

* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Lake_Tekapo WikiTravel - Lake Tekapo]
* [http://www.historic.org.nz/Register/ListingDetail.asp?RID=311&sm= New Zealand Historic Places Trust Register - Church of the Good Shepherd]