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Lake Christabel

Coordinates: 42°25′S 172°14′E / 42.417°S 172.233°E / -42.417; 172.233
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Lake Christabel
Location of Lake Christabel
Location of Lake Christabel
Lake Christabel
LocationGrey District, West Coast Region, South Island
Coordinates42°25′S 172°14′E / 42.417°S 172.233°E / -42.417; 172.233
Primary outflowsGrey River
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Surface area2.6 square kilometres (1.0 sq mi)
Shore length18.9 kilometres (5.5 mi)
Surface elevation655 metres (2,149 ft)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Christabel is a small lake in the north of New Zealand's South Island. It is located 12 kilometres southwest of the Lewis Pass. The lake is the source of the Grey River, one of the longest rivers on the South Island's West Coast, although its outlet is underground.[1] The lake lies behind a landslide dam, thought to have been created by a prehistoric earthquake.[2] The river runs under the debris for about 200 m (660 ft). A 1976 survey said it was, "one of the very few lakes in New Zealand in a natural, unmodified state". It estimated its depth at over 90 m (300 ft). Galaxias brevipinnis (climbing galaxias) and Anquilla dieffenbachii (longfin eel) were the only fish found.[3]

References

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  1. ^ New Zealand 1:50000 Topographic Map series sheet BT22 – Springs Junction
  2. ^ Adams, John (1981). "Earthquake-dammed lakes in New Zealand". Geology. 9 (5): 215. Bibcode:1981Geo.....9..215A. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1981)9<215:elinz>2.0.co;2.
  3. ^ W. S. Johnson, J. T. Mace, A. S. Turner (1976). "Fisheries Survey of Lake Christabel, West Coast Acclimatisation District" (PDF). NIWA.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)