Tide still out on lake

How low will it go? Low rainfall and a retreating lake level has exposed an expanse of mudflats on the eastern edge of Roys Bay (pictured) in Wanaka.

The shoreline along  along  Bremner Bay has also receded. Wanaka’s famous lone willow tree, usually surrounded by water, has been  high and dry for about two months.

Lake Wanaka’s level was 276.438m above sea level at 4pm yesterday.

April’s average lake level was 277.24m. The lake  has dropped about 1.5m since the start of February.

While low, it is still higher than the lowest level recorded of 276.202m. 

Official lake level records for Lake Wanaka stretch  back to 1933.

Neighbouring Lake Hawea is sitting at 340.314m above sea level. Unlike Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea’s level is controlled by Contact Energy, which must keep the lake  between 346m  and 338m.