Blue Lake, St.Bathans, Central Otago

Blue Lake is a small lake adjacent to the town of Saint Bathans in Central Otago, New Zealand. The lake is man-made, the result of sluicing operations that began in 1873 when John Ewing (1844–1922) formed the St.Bathans Channel Company, to mine the Kildare Hill Gold Claim in St Bathans. His company constructed a tailings channel and introduced hydraulic elevating to work the claim. As this work progressed the Kildare Hill Claim became the site of the deepest hydraulic elevating operation in the world, that would turn a 120 metre hill into a 68 metre hole. Natural drainage from the surrounding hills filled the hole with water and created the present day lake. 


It was such a treat to visit St. Bathans today, and go for a long walk around the lake. Because of grey skies, full of threatening snow clouds, the famous 'blue' of the lake was replaced by wonderful reflections. It was so hard deciding which images to blip; I've added 2 to Extras.


We're staying at the historic little town of Ophir, one of the coldest places in New Zealand; I hope it snows tonight!