Lake Waiau

Lake Waiau
Lake Waiau
Location of Lake Waiau in Hawaii, US
Location of Lake Waiau in Hawaii, US
Lake Waiau
Location of Lake Waiau in Hawaii, US
Location of Lake Waiau in Hawaii, US
Lake Waiau
LocationMauna Kea, Hawaii
Coordinates19°48′41″N 155°28′39″W / 19.81125°N 155.47743°W / 19.81125; -155.47743
Catchment area13.5 ha (33 acres)
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. width100 m (330 ft)
Surface area6,000 m2 (65,000 sq ft)
Max. depth2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft)
Surface elevation3,970 m (13,020 ft)

Lake Waiau[1] is a high-elevation lake located at 3,970 m (13,020 ft) above sea level on Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaiʻi. It is arguably one of the highest lakes in the United States.[2][3] After the evaporation of Ka Wai o Pele in 2018 and the short-lived lake in Halema'uma'u crater in 2020, Lake Waiau is the only lake on Hawaiʻi Island and one of very few lakes at all in the state of Hawaiʻi. It is relatively small, only about 100 m across, and varies in size as the water level rises and falls. At high water levels a small outlet stream appears at the northwest end, but it is absorbed into the ground after a short distance. The name means "swirling water" in Hawaiian, though it is usually rather placid. It usually freezes in winter, but aquatic insects such as midges and beetles can be found breeding in the water.

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Waiau
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference PaSc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "The Highest Lake in the USA". Retrieved 2008-10-11.