Dive Otago Students Clean Up Blue Lake, Retrieve 7.5kg of Rubbish

A group of students from Dive Otago recently undertook a clean-up operation at the Blue Lake in St Bathans, Central Otago, collecting a total of 7.5 kilograms of rubbish. The initiative aimed to teach students diving skills while contributing to the environmental preservation of this man-made lake, which was formed from sluicing operations beginning in 1873.

Virginia Watson, general manager of Dive Otago, expressed the need for a clean-up at Blue Lake, noting that it had been some time since the last effort. The lake, created when a 120-meter-high hill was excavated, was abandoned in 1932 and subsequently filled with water from natural drainage. The clean-up took place earlier this month, revealing that the lake was more green than blue due to accumulated debris.

During the dive, the participants discovered a variety of items, including a turbine roof vent commonly known as a whirlybird. The origins of this item, and how it found its way to the bottom of the lake, remain a mystery. Additionally, a chimney top and a toilet top were found lodged in the mud, proving too difficult to remove.

Watson noted that most of the rubbish collected did not appear to be the result of deliberate dumping. “None of it looked like dumping. It’s all kind of accidental stuff,” she remarked. The team retrieved several beer bottles, food packaging, and other miscellaneous debris, which indicated that the littering was likely unintentional. “A lot of stuff does end up in the water through sort of accidents,” she added.

The students found the experience rewarding, as they not only contributed to the lake’s cleanliness but also learned essential diving skills. After the clean-up, all collected items were transported back to Dunedin for systematic categorization and recording.

Watson expressed disappointment at the amount of rubbish found in the lake. “Obviously, it’s always disappointing to see the beer bottles and kind of food packaging,” she commented. The clean-up serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and the ongoing need for community involvement in preserving natural resources.

With initiatives like this, Dive Otago continues to encourage responsible diving practices and environmental awareness among its students, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty of places like Blue Lake.