# Blue Lake (Tasman)

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Lake in New Zealand

Rotomairewhenua Blue Lake Blue lake Rotomairewhenua Location Tasman Region, South Island Coordinates 42°3′30.6″S 172°39′25.6″E / 42.058500°S 172.657111°E / -42.058500; 172.657111 Primary inflows springs[1] Primary outflows West Branch of the Sabine River Basin countries New Zealand Surface area 2.45 ha (6.1 acres)[1] Average depth 7 m (23 ft)[1] Max. depth 8.5 m (28 ft)[1] Water volume 180,000 m3 (6,400,000 cu ft)[1] Residence time <24 hours[1] Surface elevation 1,180 m (3,870 ft)[1] Location Interactive map of Rotomairewhenua

**Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake** is a small [lake](/source/Lake) in [Nelson Lakes National Park](/source/Nelson_Lakes_National_Park), in the northern reaches of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand)'s [Southern Alps](/source/Southern_Alps_(New_Zealand)). Sacred to local [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), it has the clearest natural fresh water in the world.

## Description

The algae and plant life in the lake make it look blue and green

The Blue Lake is drained by the west branch of the [Sabine River](/source/Sabine_River%2C_New_Zealand), which is part of the [Buller River](/source/Buller_River) system. It is fed by a short upper segment of the Sabine, which in turn is fed by underground seepage through the landslide debris impounding the much larger [Lake Constance](/source/Lake_Constance%2C_New_Zealand). Blue Lake is roughly boomerang shaped, running north then northwest, with each arm of the lake stretching some 200 metres (700 ft).[2] Its waters are cold, ranging from 5 to 8 °C (41 to 46 °F).[3]

### Clarity

The lake has extremely clear water, and is the clearest natural body of fresh water yet reported.[3][4] A 2011 study found its [visibility](/source/Water_clarity) ranged from 70 to 80 metres (230 to 260 ft), clearer than the 63 metres (207 ft) measured for [Te Waikoropupu Springs](/source/Te_Waikoropupu_Springs), a previous record holder. For comparison, laboratory measurements show [distilled water](/source/Distilled_water) has a visibility of approximately 80 metres (260 ft). Scientists attribute the lake water's clarity to its passage underground from Lake Constance, which filters out nearly all the particles suspended in the water. Its clarity reveals [water's natural blue-violet colour](/source/Color_of_water).[3]

## Facilities and access

Blue Lake is most often reached as a side trip from the [Travers-Sabine Circuit](/source/Travers-Sabine_Circuit), although a marked route to the south, over the [Waiau Pass](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Waiau_Pass&action=edit&redlink=1) and another to the West, via [Moss Pass](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moss_Pass&action=edit&redlink=1) continues beyond the lake. The nearby Blue Lake Hut, with 16 bunks, provides accommodation for more than 700 [trampers](/source/Tramper) each year.[3][5]

## Māori history

Blue Lake lies within the [rohe](/source/Rohe) (tribal area) of [Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō](/source/Ng%C4%81ti_Apa_ki_te_R%C4%81_T%C5%8D). As part of the [iwi](/source/Iwi)'s 2010 [treaty settlement](/source/Treaty_of_Waitangi_claims_and_settlements), the lake passed into tribal ownership and was then given back to the Crown. The lake was traditionally used in ceremonies to cleanse the bones and release the spirits of the dead, so they could begin their journey to [Hawaiki](/source/Hawaiki), and the iwi regard its waters as [tapu](/source/Tapu_(Polynesian_culture)) (sacred). (Blue Lake was used only for males; Lake Constance was used for females.) Its Māori name, *Rotomairewhenua*, means "the lake of peaceful lands".[5]

In August 2014, the official name for Blue Lake was altered to Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake, following the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō treaty settlement with the Crown.[6]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Gall_1-6) Gall, Mark P.; Davies-Colley, Rob J.; Merrilees, Rob A. (2013). ["Exceptional visual clarity and optical purity in a sub-alpine lake"](https://doi.org/10.4319%2Flo.2013.58.2.0443). *Limnology and Oceanography*. **58** (2): 443–451. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4319/lo.2013.58.2.0443](https://doi.org/10.4319%2Flo.2013.58.2.0443).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Blue Lake"](http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=6&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200785319996428123531.0004b477c51e07b783a44). *Google Maps*. Retrieved 24 December 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NIWA_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NIWA_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NIWA_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NIWA_3-3) ["Nelson's Blue Lake – The clearest freshwater ever reported"](http://www.niwa.co.nz/news/nelson%E2%80%99s-blue-lake-%E2%80%93-the-clearest-freshwater-ever-reported). NIWA. Retrieved 20 December 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Nelson's Blue Lake clearest"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10774272). *New Zealand Herald*. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DOC_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DOC_5-1) ["Blue Lake Hut"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/nelson-lakes-national-park/things-to-do/huts/blue-lake-hut/). Department of Conservation. Retrieved 31 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["NZGB decisions – August 2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151121203027/http://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/recent-place-name-decisions-and-place-names-interest/nzgb-decisions-august). Land Information New Zealand. August 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/recent-place-name-decisions-and-place-names-interest/nzgb-decisions-august) on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

v t e Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand Mountains Faerie Queene Mount Franklin Gloriana Peak Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Pourangahau / Mount Robert Mountain ranges Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Valleys Sabine Valley Lakes Lake Rotoiti Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Lake Rotoroa Rivers Arnst River D'Urville River Glenroy River Sabine River Travers River Walking tracks Travers-Sabine Circuit Settlements Rotoroa Saint Arnaud

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blue Lake (Tasman)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lake_(Tasman)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lake_(Tasman)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.