Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka, also known by the Māori name of Waiwahuika, lies at the northern end of Fiordland, in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island.[1] The lake runs from northeast to southwest, is five kilometres (3.1 mi), and covers seven km2 (2.7 sq mi).[2]

Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka
Lake Alabaster at the Hollyford Track
Lake Alabaster at the Hollyford Track, New Zealand.
Map
Location of Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka
Location of Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka
Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka
LocationSouth Island
Coordinates44°31′S 168°10′E / 44.517°S 168.167°E / -44.517; 168.167
Primary inflowsPyke River
Primary outflowsPyke River
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Max. length6 km (3.7 mi)
Surface area7 km2 (2.7 sq mi)

Lake Alabaster drains, and is drained by, the Pyke River, a small tributary of the Hollyford River / Whakatipu Kā Tuka.[3] It is one of two lakes (along with Lake McKerrow / Whakatipu Waitai) found in the lower reaches of the Hollyford River system.[4] A branch of the Hollyford Track, one of New Zealand's most well-known and popular tramping tracks, extends along the eastern shore of the lake.[1]

The lake was formed at the southern end of a glacial valley and, had the sea level been slightly higher, would have been the northern arm of what might have been McKerrow Fiord.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Everything you need to know about the Hollyford Track". www.adventuresouth.co.nz. 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  2. ^ J Irwin (1975). "Checklist of New Zealand lakes" (PDF). New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir. 74: 1–161. ISSN 0083-7903. Wikidata Q66412037.
  3. ^ Grzelewski, Derek (2014). Going to extremes : adventures in unknown New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: David Bateman Ltd. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-86953-826-2. OCLC 881768862.
  4. ^ The story of Fiordland National Park : mountains of water. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Lands & Survey. 1986. p. 144. ISBN 0-477-06140-0. OCLC 43039606.