Lake Tekapo

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Lake Tekapo

This article is about the New Zealand lake. For the town on its shore, see Lake Tekapo (town)

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's outflow was at its southern end, into the Tekapo River. The lake is at the upper end of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. The lake was originally raised for a small stand-alone power station (now known as Tekapo A). Water from the lake was diverted through a tunnel under the town to the power station, with the water originally being returned to the river. This water is now fed into a canal which leads to Tekapo B on the shores of Lake Pukaki.

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.

Lake Tekapo on a summer day, with the Church of the Good Shepherd visible on the peninsula on the right.

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

[edit] 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 Mackenzie Country. The church 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.