- Lake Wakatipu
Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Wakatipu
image_lake = Wakatipu landsat.jpg
caption_lake = NASA false-colour satellite image
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region,South Island
coords = coord|45|3|S|168|30|E|type:waterbody_region:NZ|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Dart River
outflow =Kawarau River
catchment =
basin_countries = New Zealand
length = 80 km
width =
area = 291 km²
depth = 230 Metres
max-depth = 420 Metres
volume =
residence_time = c. 12 yrs
shore =
elevation = 310 m
islands = Pig Island & Pigeon Island
cities = Kingston, Queenstown, GlenorchyLake Wakatipu is an inland
lake (finger lake) in theSouth Island ofNew Zealand . It is in the southwest corner ofOtago Region, near its boundary with Southland.With a length of 80 kilometres, it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at 291 km², its third largest. It is at an altitude of 310 metres, towards the southern end of the
Southern Alps . The general topography is a reversed "N" shape. The Dart River flows into the northern end, the lake then runs south for 30 kilometres before turning abruptly to the east. Twenty kilometres further along, it turns sharply to the south, reaching its southern end 30 kilometres further south, near Kingston.The lake is drained by the
Kawarau River , which flows out from the lake's Frankton Arm, 8km east of Queenstown. Queenstown is on the northern shore of the lake close to eastern end of its middle section. The lake is very deep, its floor being as low as 100 metres below sea level. It has aseiche of period 26.7 minutes which, in Queenstown Bay, causes the water level to rise and fall some 200 millimetres. [ [http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=703712 Google Answers:Why does Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand rise and fall?] ]Lake Wakatipu is renowned for its scenic beauty, being surrounded by mountains.
The Remarkables mountain range lies along its southeastern edge. It is a popular venue foradventure tourism , with skifields,paragliding ,bungy jumping and tramping tracks within easy reach. A vintage steamboat, the "TSS Earnslaw " regularly plies its waters. Severalvineyard s are nearby.The Waterhorse:Legend of the Deep
Lake Wakatipu doubled as the famous Scottish '
Loch Ness ' in the 2007 film '.' Lake Wakatipu has many geographical similarities to 'Loch Ness' and was chosen as one of the main filming locations in the movie. [cite web |url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/water-horse3.htm |title=Inside 'The Water Horse' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last=Miller |first=Gerri |publisher=HowStuffWorks, Inc. ]Gallery
References
External links
* [http://www.experiencequeenstown.co.nz/region/southern-lakes-region/lake-wakatipu/ Lake Wakatipu]
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