LAKE LEVELS FALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 256, 28 September 1932, Page 11

LAKE LEVELS FALL

WEIRD ROTORUA REGION. NATURE’S CONTRADICTIONS. Tho rise and fall of the lakes in the Rotorua district provide an interesting topic for speculation (writes the Rotorua correspondent of the Auckland Star). The scientist may know why, but the layman does not. Rotorua, Roto Aliu, Rotoma, Okataina, Okareka, Rerewhakaitu, and the Blue Lakes are all down many feet on the level of two years ago. Taupo is also down, but not to the same extent, and it is on a different footing to the smaller fry. On the other hand, Lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti, and the Green Lake are more or less holding their own.

It may be taken that the dry season has had something to do with tins general falling in the levels, but it does not seem to account for everything which has happened. Lake Rotoma, for instance, which has no apparent outlet, has been falling rapidly for more than two years. The fall in the level commenced long before the effect of any dry season couid have been responsible. At ono time this lake came right up to the roadline in front of the tearooms, which are situated on the clearing beyond Rangi’s track. To-day the arm of the lake, reaching into this spot, is rapidly drying up, and the general level of the lake lias dropped (it is estimated) ten to twelve feet.

Roto Aim, the adjoining lake, also without an apparent outlet, shows a fall in level, it not equal to Rotoma, at least striking. Arms of this lake, which provided safe feeding grounds for carp, are drying up, and the imprisoned fish are being caught in hundreds by the Maoris. Some few years ago Lake Rerewhakaitu rose to such an extent that it completely submerged the sheep yards on Mr Brett’s station, and fears were entertained that tho rising waters would break through into Lake Rotomahann. Proposals were also made to the Government for assistance in providing safe drainage for the overflow. Today the yards are high and dry, probably Bft above the present level of the lake.

Okataina, with no outlet, has fallen many feet, as can be observed at the boat jetty. Okareka is also well down, and the Blue Lake lias also dropped, though not quite so much as the others mentioned.

On the other hand, despite the dry season, other lakes are reported to be holding their own. The Green Lake has fallen but slightly. Tarawera has shown little change over the last few years. Rotoiti has fallen a little. An interesting point is that in the chain of lakes —Rotorua, Rotoiti, Roto Ahu and Rotoma —Rotoiti is the only one with a visible outlet. The outflow from Lake Rotoiti goes over the Okere Falls, and the outflow of Rotorua enters Lake Rotorua through the Oliau channel. The level of Lake Rotorua has fallen many feet within the last few years, yet Rotoiti remains nearly stationary. It has been suggested that tire reason for the fall in Lake Rotorua is the increased volume of water escaping into Rotoiti —and the channel has, undoubtedly, become very shallow —but the more steady level of the latter indicates that there has been little variation in the flow over the falls.

interesting problems are also presented in regard to the thermal activities of the Rotorua district. A year ago some of the pools and lrot mud areas gave an appearance of drying up, and it was commonly thought that they were, naturally, affected by the falling level of the lake. Yet, in spite of an exceptionally dry season, and a continually falling lake level, some of these pools have filled up again, and are as busy as ever. One of the most interesting illustrations is that of the Lobster Pool in Kuirau Reserve. A year ago this popular bathing pool dried up, and only a mud puddle was left out of eight or ten feet of water. To-day the pool is nearly back at its old level. At first the restored supply was cold, but it is gradually warming up again, and full restoration seems probable. Rotorua is indeed a weird region.