Lake Waikare

Lake Waikare is one of the most polluted lakes in New Zealand. Nutrient and sediment inputs from high-intensity agriculture and forestry colour the water green and brown throughout the year.

This time lapse of Sentinel-2 imagery shows changing water colours and horizontal variability (swirls and patches). Colours are caused by high algal biomass and sediment resuspension. Inputs from the Matahuru stream at the bottom right of the image can often be traced throughout the lake. Time interval: 2020 January to October. Created using Sentinel Hub.