Lake Waipu
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| Lake Waipu | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Lakes Waipu and Oraekomiko 2021-22 | |
  Lake Waipu | |
| Location | North Island |
| Coordinates | 40°02′42″S 175°09′29″E / 40.045°S 175.158°E |
| Type | dune lake |
| Catchment area | 527 ha (1,300 acres) |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 700 m (2,300 ft) |
| Surface area | 7 hectares (17 acres) (open water) |
| Max. depth | 4.7 metres (15 ft) |
| Settlements | Rātana Pā |
| Location | |
 | |
Lake Waipu, just south of Rātana Pā,[1] is a 7 ha (17 acres) shallow coastal aeolian, or dune-dammed, lake. Horizons Regional Council has monitored water quality in the lake since 2015. The lake's catchment is mainly pasture and Rātana's treated sewage runs into a tributary of the lake, accounting for the trophic level index being eutrophic at 6.9. However, the submerged plant indicator of 34.3% is better and kākahi (native freshwater mussels) live in the lake.
A $1.75 million project with the Ministry for the Environment, Rangitīkei District Council, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Rātana Community Board, and the Department of Conservation,[2] will pipe the wastewater to land near Whangaehu beach. Planting and other improvements it is planned to improve the lake's pollution.[3]
Lake Waipu usually drains through the sand, as does nearby Lake Oraekomiko, though in places, especially in wet weather, a stream runs 2.2 km (1.4 mi) to the Turakina River.[4]
