Last updated October 2026
Lake Hood’s Bayliss Beach is the summer swimming and water testing spot at Lake Hood, the man-made recreational lake about a 10 minute drive from Ashburton (Hakatere), north of Timaru.
Ashburton District Council describes the lake, which spans more than 80 hectares, as an aquatic playground where people swim, kayak and sail, with picnic areas and walking trails around the shore.
Environment Canterbury tests the water at Bayliss Beach every week over summer, and the spot holds a Good long-term grade on LAWA. Toxic algae has affected the lake over recent summers and has led to health warnings, so check LAWA and the council’s Lake Hood page before you swim.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Environment Canterbury. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Lake Hood’s Bayliss Beach
Wednesday 21 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine E. coli results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (156 per 100 mL from 74 tests).
Visiting Lake Hood’s Bayliss Beach: The Essentials
- Location
- Lake Hood, Huntingdon, about a 10 minute drive from Ashburton (Ashburton District)
- Water
- Man-made lake fed by the Ashburton River and springs in the lake floor; no tides
- Water quality
- Good (LAWA long-term grade for faecal bacteria)
- Toxic algae
- Cyanobacteria blooms have led to health warnings in summer; check LAWA and the council before swimming
- Testing
- Weekly in summer by Environment Canterbury; results on LAWA
- Testing spot
- Near the rowing sheds, with an inflow drain nearby (LAWA)
- Facilities
- Picnic tables and toilets; the nearest toilets are about 300 m from the testing spot
- Other activities
- Kayaking, sailing, an eight-lane rowing course, and separate water-ski and jet-ski areas
- Lifeguards
- None listed; swim with others and supervise children
What to Expect
Lake Hood is a man-made recreational lake at Huntingdon, about 6 kilometres south-east of Tinwald on the southern side of Ashburton. It opened in 2001, is about 2.3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, and covers more than 80 hectares.
The council describes it as an aquatic playground within a 10 minute drive of Ashburton (Hakatere), with picnic areas and walking trails around the water.
The lake has a separate designated rowing course and separate water-ski and jet-ski areas, and canals run off it to a residential development, where some sections have their own jetties for boats and kayaks. Its water comes from the Ashburton River and from springs in the lake floor.
Bayliss Beach is the spot Environment Canterbury tests for swimming. LAWA describes the area as surrounded by recreational areas and housing, popular with motor boats and set in a large open lowland area, with the testing point near the rowing sheds and an inflow drain nearby. Picnic tables and toilets are provided around the lake.
The lake also has a council Jumping Platform, which the council notes is physically separated from the main body of the lake and spring-fed.
Swimming and Water Quality at Bayliss Beach
Environment Canterbury tests the water at Bayliss Beach every week from November to March and shares the results on LAWA. The spot has a Good LAWA long-term grade, worked out from 74 routine tests over the summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Of 91 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming. A Good grade means the water is rarely unsuitable for swimming, but it is a long-term record, not a promise for any particular day.
That grade measures faecal bacteria. It does not cover toxic algae, which is monitored separately and is the main thing to check at Lake Hood. Look at the latest LAWA result and any health warning before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
Toxic Algae at Lake Hood
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is sometimes present in Lake Hood, and blooms have led to health warnings in recent summers. In April 2025 the council closed the lake for a time after people became unwell from toxic algae, and in January 2026 Health New Zealand issued a health warning after sampling found elevated levels of potentially toxic planktonic cyanobacteria in the water-ski area.
That warning was lifted on 24 March 2026, after two weeks in a row of results below the 0.5 mm³/L level Health New Zealand uses.
The council says the public will be told if testing shows levels have risen again, and that it is working with scientists, led by Professor Susie Wood of Lincoln University, on ways to manage blooms in future summers.
When a warning is in place, follow its advice and avoid contact with the water, including at the Jumping Platform, which the council says needs caution because it is so close to the main lake.
Keep dogs out of the water whenever algae is present: the council backs Environment Canterbury’s “if in doubt, keep them out” advice, as exposure to toxic algae can be fatal for dogs. Current health warnings are listed on Health New Zealand’s health alerts page.
Sharing the Lake
Lake Hood is a busy boating lake as well as a swimming spot, with a rowing course and separate water-ski and jet-ski areas. Swim away from those lanes and the boat ramps, wear a bright swim cap so boaties can see you, and keep children within reach, as no lifeguard service is listed.
The council posts lake events and any closures on its Lake Hood event information page, so check it before a summer visit.
Helpful Resources
LAWA and Environment Canterbury: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, any algae alert and the long-term water quality grade for Lake Hood at Bayliss Beach.
Ashburton District Council: Lake Hood water quality: the council’s updates on health warnings, algae sampling results and its water quality work.
Ashburton District Council: Lake Hood: an overview of the lake, its activities, events and closures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Hood’s Bayliss Beach
Can you swim at Lake Hood?
Yes. Ashburton District Council says the lake lets people swim, kayak and sail, and Environment Canterbury tests the water at Bayliss Beach every week over summer. Check LAWA and any health warning for toxic algae before you swim.
What is the water quality like at Bayliss Beach?
Bayliss Beach has a Good LAWA long-term grade for faecal bacteria. Of 91 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming. Toxic algae is tested separately.
Does Lake Hood have toxic algae?
Sometimes. Cyanobacteria blooms have led to health warnings in recent summers, including one from January to March 2026. Check LAWA and the council’s Lake Hood page before swimming.
Can my dog swim in Lake Hood?
Keep dogs out of the water when algae is present or a warning is in place. The council backs Environment Canterbury’s advice, “if in doubt, keep them out”, as toxic algae can be fatal for dogs.
Where is Lake Hood?
At Huntingdon, about 6 kilometres south-east of Tinwald and within a 10 minute drive of Ashburton, north of Timaru. Bayliss Beach is near the rowing sheds.
Is Lake Hood a natural lake?
No. It is a man-made recreational lake that opened in 2001, fed by the Ashburton River and springs in the lake floor.
Are there lifeguards at Lake Hood?
No lifeguard service is listed. Swim with others, stay clear of the boating lanes and keep children within reach.
What else can you do at Lake Hood?
Kayak, sail, row or water-ski, walk the trails around the lake, or have a picnic. The lake has a rowing course and separate water-ski and jet-ski areas.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.