The lake is controlled by Contact Energy which must keep the level between 346m above sea level and 338m.
At the start of September, the lake receded to 338.67m, causing local residents to express their concerns to members of the Lake Hawea Guardians, who took the matter up with Contact.
The company responded that its use of the lake's storage capacity in autumn and early winter was ''part of a deliberate strategy to use Hawea water when it is most efficient for the production of electricity''.
The company pointed out it had operated within its resource consents ''at all times''.
Guardians chairwoman Barbara Chinn told the Otago Daily Times yesterday members of her group had fielded inquiries from members of the community.
Residents within the local area were particularly concerned Lake Hawea was low but the Clyde dam, which the lake feeds, was spilling water.
The level today was about 338.86m and spring rain and the snow melt is expected to keep the lake rising.
''People can't help noticing, but they [Contact] have been performing within their legal limits.''
Guardians member John Taylor said the lake level this month was the third-lowest since 2008, when it dropped to 338.1m.
