Its **mountains**, **valleys**, and **crystal-clear rivers** have been the setting for world-renowned film productions, such as The Lord of the Rings, and attract millions of [tourists in search of adventure and nature](https://noticiasambientales.com/turismo/la-maravilla-escondida-de-chubut-un-destino-costero-con-aventura-y-calma/) every year.
Located in the **southwest Pacific** and composed of two main islands, we are talking about **New Zealand**. A country famous for its stunning natural landscapes.
It is in this oceanic corner where **Rotomairewhenua** is located, a name given by the Maori tribe Ngāti Apa to a lake whose meaning is **”lake of peaceful lands”**.
Currently, this body of water is also known as **Blue Lake** and is located in the heart of the **Nelson Lakes National Park** on the South Island of New Zealand.
Despite its surface area of just 2.5 hectares, it holds a unique title in the world: the **lake with the clearest waters on the planet**, a recognition supported by the scientific community.
A lake with visibility of up to 80 meters
In 2013, researchers Mark Gall, Robert Davies-Colley, and Rob Merrilees conducted a comprehensive study on the **properties of the subalpine lake**. Their findings, published in a scientific article, concluded that its waters allow visibility of between 70 and 80 meters, giving it **”exceptional optical purity”**.
Experts described it as “the visually clearest freshwater ever recorded.” However, [this unique ecosystem is at risk](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/playas-de-tarifa-cubiertas-por-40-000-toneladas-de-algas-invasoras-provenientes-de-asia/).
In recent years, the increasing popularity of Blue Lake on social media has led to a significant rise in tourism in the **Nelson Lakes National Park**.
This phenomenon concerns both scientists and the Ngāti Apa tribe, as the constant influx of visitors could endanger the **purity of its waters**.
Lindavia, the algae endangering the clearest lake
One of the major concerns is the possible arrival of **lindavia**, a microscopic algae capable of producing a **viscous substance** known as lake snow, which **alters the water’s ecology**. As CNN warns, this microorganism has affected other lakes in the region, and its spread to Rotomairewhenua would be disastrous.
To prevent its arrival, the Department of Conservation of New Zealand, along with the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust and Te Araroa Trust organizations, have implemented new **biosecurity measures** on the hiking trail leading to the lake.
These initiatives include **cleaning stations** at strategic points, especially near other lakes where the presence of lindavia has already been detected.
Additionally, informative signs have been placed to **raise awareness among hikers** about the importance of cleaning their footwear and equipment before approaching Blue Lake. In fact, visitors are asked **not to touch the water**, and during the summer, a ranger is in charge of monitoring it.
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