[citation needed] Lake Hāwea is named after a Māori tribe who preceded the Waitaha people in the area.

In 1958, the lake was artificially raised 20 metres to store more water for increased hydroelectric power generation at the Roxburgh Dam.

[2] The only flat land around the lake is at its southern end, surrounding its outflow into the Hāwea River, a short tributary of the Clutha / Matau-au, which it joins near Albert Town.

[1] In 1836, the Ngāti Tama chief Te Pūoho led a 100-person war party, armed with muskets, down the West Coast and over the Haast Pass: they fell on the Ngāi Tahu encampment between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, capturing 10 people and killing and eating two children.

[4] Although Te Pūoho was later killed by the southern Ngāi Tahu leader Tūhawaiki,[5] Maori seasonal visits to the area ceased.