Lake Tikitapu

Lake Tikitapu
Location	North Island
Coordinates	38°12′S 176°20′E / 38.2°S 176.333°E / -38.2; 176.333Coordinates: 38°12′S 176°20′E / 38.2°S 176.333°E / -38.2; 176.333
Lake type	crater lake
Basin countries	New Zealand
Max. length	1.6 km[1]
Max. width	1.3 km[1]
Surface area	1.4 km2[1]
Average depth	19.1 m[1]
Max. depth	27.5 m[1]
Surface elevation	418 m[1]
References	[1]

Lake Tikitapu or Blue Lake, is the smallest of four small lakes lying between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. The others are Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake), Lake Okareka, and Lake Okataina.

Along with the others, Lake Tikitapu lies within a volcanic caldera formed within the last 300,000 years. The blue colour of the lake can be attributed to rhyolite and pumice on the lake bed. The lake has no visible outlet, however subsurface flow drains towards Lake Tarawera.^[2]

In summer, the lake is used for recreational purposes, with many sports events being held such as water skiing and triathlons. Like many of the lakes in the Rotorua district, it is also used for trout fishing.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Viner, A.B., ed (1987). Inland waters of New Zealand. Wellington: DSIR Science Information Publishing Centre. pp. 471–474. ISBN 0-477-06799-9. 
2. ^ Lake Tikitapu Environment Bay of Plenty