Lake Tekapo is the second largest of three parallel parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the

Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand (the others are Lake Pukaki and Lake Oahu). It covers an area of

83 square kilometers (32 sq mi), and is at an elevation of 710 meters (2,330 ft) above sea level.Tekapo Lake at Twilight

The lake is fed by both the braided Godley River at its northern end and the Macauley River, which have their

sources in the Southern Alps to the north. The melted snow from the Southern Alps is colored a light turquoise by glacial

silt. This gives Tekapo Lake its distinctive color. To the east of Lake Tekapo lies the Two Thumb Range with Mount Tobi

(2222 m); Braun Elvert Peak (2086m); Dobson Peak (2095m) and Mount Maud (1797m) between the mountains above

Lake Tekapo. On the western shore of Lake Tekapo. Mount John (1031 m) is closest to the city, with Alexandrina Lake

further north and Mistake Peak (1931 m) sitting towards the head of the lake. Cowans Hill (783 m) is located at the

southern end of Tekapo Lake, behind the township and next to the Tekapo River.The average surface water temperature

of the lake varies between as low as 5.8 and 5.9 °C in September and 17 °C in January.The lake is a popular tourist destination,

and many resort hotels are located at the lake's southern end in the township of Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo Regional Park, administered

by Environment Canterbury, is located on the southern shore of the lake. State Highway 8 continues past Tekapo Lake at its southern end.