If you've walked through Kuirau Park recently you may have seen something a little unusual, as did Rotorua local Lani Kereopa.
After walking through for the first time in ages on Monday she put on Facebook she couldn't help but feel shocked and uneasy.
"I've never seen [Kuirau Lake near the intersection of near the corner of Lake Rd and Ranolf St] like this before. Where has all the water gone!"
Kuirau Lake's levels fluctuate periodically according to Rotorua Lakes Council Geothermal and Regulatory Inspector Peter Brownbridge
PHOTO/BEN FRASER
However, Rotorua Lakes Council geothermal and regulatory inspector Peter Brownbridge said the current fluctuating water levels in Kuirau Lake were interesting, but nothing to be concerned about.
"This happens periodically. When the lake level goes down the level of the nearby Tarewa Springs, situated near the Aquatic Centre, goes up and vice versa."
He said there was nothing to suggest there was anything unusual going on and nothing to suggest it was related to hydrothermal eruptions in Lake Rotorua [recently] or anywhere else.
"It appears to be quite natural - interesting, but nothing to be concerned about. We unofficially refer to this occurrence as "The Switch".
Kuirau Lake's levels fluctuate periodically according to Rotorua Lakes Council Geothermal and Regulatory Inspector Peter Brownbridge
PHOTO/BEN FRASER
The Switch could happen overnight and was sometimes accompanied by extra boiling or some water spouting up in Kuirau Lake, he said.
"It used to happen on a fairly regular cycle but has, since a hydrothermal eruption in the park in 2000, become more random."
Mr Brownbridge said there could be a noticeable change in the level of the lake when The Switch occurred and there could be overflows when it rose.
"Extra drains were put in place to take any overflow and a few years ago the springs were overflowing for about a year."
Kuirau Lake's levels fluctuate periodically according to Rotorua Lakes Council Geothermal and Regulatory Inspector Peter Brownbridge
PHOTO/BEN FRASER
He said Rotorua had quite a dynamic and live geothermal system.
"There's a lot about it which we do not know but the occurrence of The Switch is well known to those who monitor the system - ie the district and regional councils and GNS.
"It's not monitored specifically or recorded when it happens but we're sometimes alerted if staff who work in the park notice it. It's not a precursor to anything - just the geothermal system doing what it does."
Rotorua Lakes Council has not had any inquiries regarding this latest lake level fluctuation.
Kuirau Lake geothermal system -When the Kuirau Lake level goes down the level of the nearby Tarewa Springs, situated near the Aquatic Centre, goes up and vice versa - unofficially called 'The Switch'. -The Switch can happen overnight and is sometimes accompanied by some extra boiling or some water spouting up in the lake. -The Switch used to happen on a fairly regular cycle but has, since a hydrothermal eruption in the park in 2000, become more random. Information provided by Rotorua Lakes Council Geothermal and Regulatory Inspector Peter Brownbridge
