[1] With a mean depth of only 10 metres it is considerably smaller than nearby Lake Tarawera in terms of volume of water.

[3] The lake all-time high occurred sometime after the formation of the Ngongotahā Dome which records this on its flanks, and is now dated at 200,000 years.

The maps reveal the course of an ancient river, now submerged, and thousands of pockmarks that probably result from the emission of gas from decomposition of organic material beneath the lake floor.

The surveys also revealed significant geothermal activity extending around 1 km (0.62 mi) into the lake from Sulphur Point.

[5] Despite the large volume of water flowing through Lake Rotorua its shallow depth makes it very prone to discolouration, especially from sediment following windy weather.

From Lake Rotoiti the waters of Lake Rotorua flow to the Kaituna River into the Pacific Ocean near Maketu; the rapid descent from over 900 feet above sea level in less than 20 km has created an area used for extreme kayaking and white water rafting.