Lake Rotokaeo / Forest Lake

Depth:
1.8 metres
Area:
3.1 hectares
Lake ID:
11999
Main vegetation type:
Urban
Hamilton
37° 46' 25" S
175° 15' 4" E
Lowland

Iwi / representative groups:

  • Ngāti Māhanga
    • Waikato

      Description

      Forest Lake (Lake Rotokaeo) is located within Minogue Park in Hamilton urban area. The Māori name Rotokaeo translates as Lake (roto) of freshwater mussels (kāeo). In the past it also provided other food, such as koura, kokopu and tuna (eels), and plants such as raupō, mangemange and flax (www.hamilton.govt.nz). The area was once a large peaty swamp area. It was drained and a weir added to control depth. The water quality is poor (en.wikipedia.org).

      Image – David G. Schmale III, Virginia Tech, https://www.schmalelab.spes.vt.edu/
      Image – David G. Schmale III, Virginia Tech, https://www.schmalelab.spes.vt.edu/