As shown by an extensive echo‐sounding survey, the morphology of Lake Waikaremoana is a drowned valley system; complex troughs and banks at the eastern end are consistent with infilling and damming by slip material. In September 1972, water temperatures were near isothermal (surface‐bottom, 9.3–8.8°c), and clarity measured by secchi disc averaged 12.2 m. Very fine‐grained clayey silts occur on the surface of sediments throughout the lake.