- Lake Tekapo (town)
Tekapo Location map
New Zealand transparent
label=Lake Tekapo
lat_dir=S | lat_deg=44 | lat_min=00
lon_dir=E | lon_deg=170 | lon_min=29
position=left
width= 150
float=center
caption=Urban Area Population: Extent: Territorial Authority Name: Mackenzie District Council Population: Mayor: Website: [http://www.mackenzie.govt.nz/ Mackenzie District Council] Extent: Regional council Name: Environment Canterbury Lake Tekapo is a small town located at the southern end of the lake of the same name in the inland
South Island ofNew Zealand . The lake is a populartourist destination, and several resort hotels are located at the township. The lake's outflow into theTekapo River is close to the town. The lake is at the upper end of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme, and as such, several dams and artificial canals are found near its outflow, linking it with Lake Pukaki.Selected for its very clear atmosphere, large number of clear sky nights, and lack of
light pollution Mount John University Observatory is located on a small hill to the north of the town, and south of the small Lake Alexandrina. Originally set up by theUniversity of Pennsylvania (looking for a southern hemisphere location), it is now run by theUniversity of Canterbury . From 1969 to 1982, theUnited States Air Force had asatellite tracking station adjacent to the observatory.The
NZ Army has a large training range located at Tekapo. It is used for general military exercises and for pre-deployment training of forces being sent toAfghanistan .References
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