Lake Brunner West Coast New Zealand
Lake Brunner is the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand, covering an area of 40 km². The lake's outflow is the Arnold River, a tributary of the Grey River. The lake lies 31 kilometres to the southeast of Greymouth. The main settlement close to the lake is Moana, on the northern shore.
The lake is a popular holiday destination especially for boaters, water-skiers and trout fishers. The surrounding areas of native forest have several excellent tramping tracks and mountain climbs, and the lake’s wetland areas host numerous birds and native plants.
Species of weed willow (an introduced plant) have been poisoned and the natural native wetland species are coming back along with an improvement in wildlife.
The landscape is distinctive for its tall kahikatea tree swamp forest in the low lying wet areas, and magnificent temperate rainforest dominated by rimu on the dryer slopes.
Water quality, although still generally good, is an issue with nutrient run-off resulting in a slow decline of quality. But increased awareness means the local dairy company and its Brunner catchment farmers, and the regional council, are cooperating on a very strict set of environmental standards which is seeing nutrient run-off into the lake being decreased and the decline in water quality slowing and showing evidence of beginning to reverse.
Lake Brunner is named for the 19th century explorer Thomas Brunner. The Maori name for the lake, Kotuku Moana, means "Sea of herons" and Maori legend features tales of large numbers of kotuku (white heron) on the lake and along the river. Now more rare, kotuku still visit the lake regularly, especially in autumn and winter.
Lake Brunner West Coast New Zealand
Lake Brunner is the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand, covering an area of 40 km². The lake's outflow is the Arnold River, a tributary of the Grey River. The lake lies 31 kilometres to the southeast of Greymouth. The main settlement close to the lake is Moana, on the northern shore.
The lake is a popular holiday destination especially for boaters, water-skiers and trout fishers. The surrounding areas of native forest have several excellent tramping tracks and mountain climbs, and the lake’s wetland areas host numerous birds and native plants.
Species of weed willow (an introduced plant) have been poisoned and the natural native wetland species are coming back along with an improvement in wildlife.
The landscape is distinctive for its tall kahikatea tree swamp forest in the low lying wet areas, and magnificent temperate rainforest dominated by rimu on the dryer slopes.
Water quality, although still generally good, is an issue with nutrient run-off resulting in a slow decline of quality. But increased awareness means the local dairy company and its Brunner catchment farmers, and the regional council, are cooperating on a very strict set of environmental standards which is seeing nutrient run-off into the lake being decreased and the decline in water quality slowing and showing evidence of beginning to reverse.
Lake Brunner is named for the 19th century explorer Thomas Brunner. The Maori name for the lake, Kotuku Moana, means "Sea of herons" and Maori legend features tales of large numbers of kotuku (white heron) on the lake and along the river. Now more rare, kotuku still visit the lake regularly, especially in autumn and winter.