Lake Ōhau is a glacial lake in Te Manahuna (the Mackenzie Basin), fed by Te Awa Aruhe (Hopkins River) and Ōtaao (Dobson River). The lake’s water quality is very good and the ecological condition is excellent (www.lawa.org.nz). The lake is surrounded by tussock land that suffers from grazing by introduced himalayan thar. Lake Ōhau Alpine village and ski field lie adjacent to the lake. Ōhau was a Ngāi Tahu seasonal food gathering site rich in tuna(eels) and weka. (https://www.kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas).
