Lake Rotorangi, lake in New Zealand

Lake Rotorangi is an artificial lake in the Taranaki region and the longest of its kind in New Zealand. Stretching about 46 kilometers, it was created by building a dam across the Patea River for power generation, while its shores offer walking trails and places to rest.

The lake was created between 1979 and 1984 by building the Patea Dam to generate power for the Taranaki region. Upon completion, the dam was the fourth highest in New Zealand and shaped local development from the 1980s onward.

The name Rotorangi comes from Maori language and relates to the landscape and waters of this area. Along the walkway stand carved wooden figures made from totara wood by local artists from Patea, representing stories and symbolizing protection of the land.

The Patea Dam and its reservoir are reached via Ball Road, which leaves State Highway 3 south of Hawera; the last stretch is unsealed and crosses private land, so keep to the marked route. The lake is used for water sports and has a public camping ground that operates in summer. The dam blocks upstream-migrating eels, which gather at its foot because they cannot climb the tubular fish pass; since 2007 a local initiative has caught and released them back into the lake.

The dam blocks upstream-migrating eels, which gather at its foot because they cannot climb the tubular fish pass. Since 2007 a local initiative has caught these eels and released them back into the lake; the power company now funds the trapping, and the gates are occasionally opened to help adult fish migrate downstream.