Harman Patil (Editor)

Lake Rotorangi

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Type
  
Reservoir

Primary outflows
  
Patea River

Outflow location
  
Patea River

Primary inflows
  
Patea River

Basin countries
  
New Zealand

Inflow source
  
Patea River

Lake Rotorangi wwwtearagovtnzfilesp25926gns0jpg

Lake Rotorangi is the largest lake in the New Zealand region of Taranaki. The reservoir was created in 1984 by the damming of the Patea River.

Contents

Map of Lake Rotorangi, Matemateaonga, New Zealand

History

Lake Rotorangi was formed in 1984 as a reservoir for generating electricity. The lake was formed by building an 80-metre high earth wall dam near the end of Ball Road in South Taranaki District. The dam created then filled the Patea River valley for a distance of about 46 kilometres to make the longest reservoir of its type in New Zealand.

The Patea Dam is owned by Trust Power and rated at 31 MW output (115 GWh per annum). Patea is operated as a peaking station. With around one week's storage capacity, the station generates electricity over periods when electricity prices are highest. It is also a public camping ground, used in the summer time for various water sports.

References

Lake Rotorangi Wikipedia