Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is the largest of three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand's South Island. It lies in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region. The lake's outflow feeds into the Waitaki River and hydroelectric scheme.

Lake Pukaki is famous for its striking turquoise blue color, which is a result of "rock flour." As the nearby Tasman and Hooker glaciers slowly grind against the valley floor, they create a fine suspension of microscopic rock dust. This dust scatters sunlight in the water, reflecting brilliant shades of blue and turquoise.

Lake Pukaki is a key storage reservoir in the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme, which generates a significant portion of New Zealand's electricity. The lake's natural level was raised by building dams, and water is channeled through canals to power stations like the Tekapo B power station. The scheme plays a critical role in New Zealand's renewable energy infrastructure.

Looking south from the shores of Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, Lake Pukaki provides a stunning foreground for views of the Southern Alps. Most notably, it offers unobstructed views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, which at 3,724 meters is the highest peak in New Zealand. Mount Tasman, the country's second-highest mountain, is also visible from the lake.