Lake Tennyson

{{Short description|Lake in Hurunui District, New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} [[File:Mt Kruse northern spur 432.jpg|thumb|Lake Tennyson as seen from the south]]

'''Lake Tennyson''' (elevation {{convert|1102|m|disp=or}}) (Māori name: Rangitahi) is a glacial high-country lake in [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]], New Zealand. The first European settler to see the lake was [[Frederick Weld]] in 1853, who also named it. The headwaters of the [[Waiau Toa / Clarence River]] are just to the north, and the river flows through Lake Tennyson.

==History== [[File:Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Frederick Weld]], who first saw Lake Tennyson in 1853, in circa 1865]] Lake Tennyson was discovered by [[Frederick Weld]] in 1853;{{sfn|Reed|2010|p=411}}<ref name="F. Weld 1855">{{cite news|title=Report of an Expedition with a view to the Discovery of a Direct Line or Route between Nelson and Canterbury |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18550602.2.17?query=Lake%20Tennyson |access-date=10 June 2017 |work=Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle |volume=XIV |issue=19 |date=2 June 1855}}</ref> Weld was the inaugural member of parliament for the {{NZ electorate link|Wairau}} electorate.{{sfn|Wilson|1985|p=244}} The nearby Mount Weld is named for Weld, who climbed the mountain in March 1855.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mt Weld |url= http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/marlborough/turk-ridge/mt-weld |publisher=NZ Alpine Club|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> The reason for Weld exploring the area was his search for an overland route between [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] and Canterbury for driving sheep.<ref name="F. Weld 1855" /> The lake is assumed to be named for the poet [[Alfred, Lord Tennyson]].{{sfn|Reed|2010|p=411}} Weld described the lake as follows:

{{Cquote|text=Lake Tennyson in beauty far surpasses anything that I have ever seen in New Zealand.|author=[[Frederick Weld]] |source={{sfn|Reed|2010|p=411}}<ref name="F. Weld 1855" />}}

==Description== [[File:Lake Tennyson (25725365350).jpg|thumb|Camping shelter at Lake Tennyson]] The small glacial lake is {{convert|1102|m}} above sea level.<ref name="Topo Map">{{cite web |last1=Harriss |first1=Gavin |title=NZ Topo Map |url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz35839/Lake-Tennyson/Canterbury |publisher=NZ Topo Map |access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> A broad [[moraine]] with a number of [[Tarn (lake)|tarns]] (i.e. mountain pools) forms the downstream side of the lake.<ref name="Te Ara" /> There is a basic camp ground provided by the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] next to the lake, free to use on a [[First-come, first-served|first come, first served]] basis.<ref name="DOC camp">{{cite web |title=Lake Tennyson Campsite |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/molesworth-station/things-to-do/campsites/lake-tennyson-campsite/ |publisher=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] |access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> The lake's perimeter is approximately {{convert|7.5|km}} and can be walked, but wading in the lake is required in places.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lake Tennyson|url=http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/188/lake-tennyson.php|publisher=New Zealand Adventure Guide|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>

==Location==

Lake Tennyson is located within the headwaters of the Clarence River; the river flows through the lake.<ref name="Te Ara">{{cite web |last1=McSaveney |first1=Eileen|title=Landscapes – overview - Top of the South Island |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13015/lake-tennyson |publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=10 June 2017|date=1 July 2015}}</ref> Lake Tennyson is framed by the St James Range to the west, and the Crimea Range to the east.<ref name="Topo Map" />

Lake Tennyson is part of [[Molesworth Station]], New Zealand's largest farm.<ref name="DOC camp" /> Access from [[Hanmer Springs]] ({{convert|43|km|disp=or}}) is on Clarence Valley Road via Jacks Pass, and then Tophouse Road along the Clarence River to the Maling Pass car park. The Clarence River is crossed via bridge at the car park and after a short drive on the [[Rainbow Road (New Zealand)|Rainbow Road]], the access road to the lake is signposted on the left. This route is suitable for [[two-wheel drive]]s.<ref name="DOC camp" />

The alternative access is from [[Saint Arnaud, New Zealand|Saint Arnaud]] ({{convert|75|km|disp=or}}). Just east of the township, the route turns right off [[New Zealand State Highway 63|State Highway 63]] onto Rainbow Road (also known as Wairau–Hanmer Springs Hydro Road). This route follows the [[Wairau River]] to [[Island Saddle]], which is New Zealand's highest legal road at {{convert|1347|m}}. From there, it is {{convert|5.5|km}} to the turn off to Lake Tennyson. This road is suitable for [[four-wheel drive]] vehicles only, has seasonal access restrictions, and a toll applies that is payable at Rainbow Station.<ref name="DOC camp" />

The Maling Pass car park in close proximity to Lake Tennyson is the most common start point for those who want to explore the [[St James Cycle Trail]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Riding the Trail|url=http://www.nzcycletrail.com/trails/st-james-trail/details/|publisher=[[New Zealand Cycle Trail]]|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>

==Notes== {{Reflist|30em}}

==References==

*{{cite book |last = Reed |first = A. W. |authorlink = Alexander Wyclif Reed |title = Place Names of New Zealand |year = 2010 |publisher = Raupo |location = Rosedale, North Shore |isbn = 9780143204107 |editor = Peter Dowling}} *{{cite book |last= Wilson |first= James Oakley |title= New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 |edition= 4th |orig-year=First published in 1913 |year= 1985 |publisher= V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer |location= Wellington |oclc=154283103}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tennyson, Lake}} [[Category:Lakes of the Canterbury Region]] [[Category:Hurunui District]]