LOWEST FOR YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 16

LOWEST FOR YEARS.

LEVEL OF ROTORtTA LAKES. VARIOUS REASONS SUGGESTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ROTORUA, Tuesday. The low level of the lakes in the Rotorua district has been causing much comment lately. "While the dry season is primary responsible, many theories are advanced to explain the present condition of Lake Rotorua especially. The lake has been steadily falling for some years, and hundreds of acres of foreshore are now clear of water. This is particularly noticeable at the wharf, where the old floating tea kiosk is now practically high and dry. The opinion is held by some that .the lake lias dropped since the recent blowout at Puarenga Point. It is certain only that the lake is lower, and that as a consequence the water frontage has not been improved. One plan advanced to secure a maintenance of the level is the restriction of the outflow through the Ohau channel. This passage was cleaned and widened some years ago, with the result that a much greater volume of water is able to escape than in former years. But in considering all these suggestions, it must be remembered that the whole chain of lakes—Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Rotoma—is at the lowest level known for years, and ' they are not all connected—that is so far as surface passages are concerned.