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Story: Limestone country

Lake Disappear

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Lake Disappear

This ephemeral lake, north-east of Aotea Harbour on Waikato’s western coast, is a polje – a large enclosed basin. It is drained by an underground stream. During heavy rain, the stream cannot drain fast enough, so the hollow fills with water (bottom). True to its name, if there has been little rain the lake drains away and disappears (top).

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Private collection

by Paul Williams

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How to cite this page

Paul Williams, Limestone country – Other karst features, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12409/lake-disappear (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Williams, published 1 March 2009.