Lake Waipu

Lake Waipu, just south of Rātana Pā,[1] is a 7 ha (17 acres) shallow coastal aeolian, or dune-dammed, lake. Horizons Regional Council has monitored water quality in the lake since 2015. The lake's catchment is mainly pasture and Rātana's treated sewage runs into a tributary of the lake, accounting for the trophic level index being eutrophic at 6.9, though the submerged plant indicator of 34.3% is better and kākahi (native freshwater mussels) live in the lake.

Lake Waipu
Aerial view of Lakes Waipu and Oraekomiko 2021-22
Location of Lake Waipu
Location of Lake Waipu
Lake Waipu
LocationNorth Island
Coordinates40.045°S 175.158°E / -40.045; 175.158
Typedune lake
Catchment area527 ha (1,300 acres)
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Max. length700 m (2,300 ft)
Surface area7 hectares (17 acres) (open water)
Max. depth4.7 metres (15 ft)
SettlementsRātana Pā

A $1.75 million project with the Ministry for the Environment, Rangitīkei District Council, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Rātana Community Board, and the Department of Conservation,[2] will pipe the wastewater to land near Whangaehu beach. With planting and other improvements it is planned to improve the lake's pollution.[3]

Lake Waipu usually drains through the sand, as does nearby Lake Oraekomiko, though in places, especially in wet weather, a stream runs 2.2 km (1.4 mi) to the Turakina River.[4]

References

  1. "Lake Waipu, Manawatu-Wanganui". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  2. "Lake Waipū Water Quality". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  3. "Lake Waipu Improvement and Rātana Pā Wastewater Treatment Project". www.rangitikei.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  4. Dr Alex James and Dr Mike Joy (May 2009). "Prioritisation for restoration of out-flow stream habitat of coastal wetlands on the west coast of the ManawatuWanganui region" (PDF).


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