Lake Roxburgh, reservoir in New Zealand

Lake Roxburgh is a reservoir in Central Otago District created by damming the Clutha River. The water stretches across a wide area surrounded by gently rolling hills, with open skies and distant mountains forming the backdrop.

The lake was created in the mid-20th century when a dam was built to generate hydroelectric power. This project transformed the landscape and gave the region an important role in supplying electricity to local communities and beyond.

The name Roxburgh comes from Scottish settlers, and the surrounding Teviot Valley was worked for gold. Lake Roxburgh Village is a rural settlement of about 90 people (June 2025 estimate), with a median age of 59.2 at the 2018 census, well above the national 37.4. At that census 18.5% identified as Māori and 59.3% had no religion.

The lake stretches 28.5 km along the Clutha River, ending near Alexandra, with the Roxburgh Dam at its southern end and the town of Roxburgh 5 km south of the dam. Access is year-round; the dam area serves as a starting point for orientation. The reservoir is a popular fishing spot, so anglers should check local regulations before casting.

The nearby town of Roxburgh is home to one of New Zealand's longest-running cinemas, showing films since 1897. This long tradition of the movie theater gives the town an unusual cultural importance for such a small community.