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Lake Waiau
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Tiny Lake Waiau on Hawaii's Big Island is one of the highest elevated lakes on the planet. Located at 13,020 feet above sea level, near the summit of Mauna Kea volcano (13,796 feet), Lake Waiau (Hawaiian for "swirling water") lies in the crater of Pu'u Waiau cinder cone in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve. Its size varies with its water level. It's one of just a very few lakes in the state of Hawaii. Despite its tropical location, Lake Waiau freezes during winter.
Aside from rainwater and snow melt, there is no apparent source of water inflow to Lake Waiau - no underwater spring, no river or creek. Many scientists believe that Lake Waiau's primary water source is permafrost, a thick layer of frozen soil that lies underneath the lake. The permafrost melts as needed to replace water that evaporates from Lake Waiau's surface. If accurate, then Lake Waiau is the only alpine lake in the Hawaiian islands.
Lake Waiau is a 30-45 minute hike off the road that leads to the peak of Mauna Kea. ... (read more about Lake Waiau, Hawaii)
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