Ōpaoa River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ōpaoa River |
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|---|---|
| Native name | Ōpaoa |
| Other name(s) | Opawa River |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Towns | Blenheim |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Big Lagoon 41°30′25″S 174°03′00″E / 41.5069°S 174.0500°E |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Omaka River → Ōpaoa River |
| Tributaries |
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The Ōpaoa River is a river located in the Marlborough region of New Zealand's South Island. It used to be called the Opawa River. This river is an important waterway for the town of Blenheim.
Contents
Where the Ōpaoa River Flows
The Ōpaoa River starts in the Wairau Valley. Here, several floodways come together to form the river. It then flows through the valley, making its way towards Blenheim.
Journey Through Blenheim
As the river reaches Blenheim, it loops around the eastern parts of the town. The Opawa River Bridge crosses the river in this area. Inside Blenheim, the Ōpaoa River joins up with the Taylor River. Even after they meet, the river keeps the name Ōpaoa.
Reaching the Sea
After leaving Blenheim, the Ōpaoa River flows into a place called Big Lagoon. This lagoon is an estuary, which is where a river meets the sea. The Ōpaoa River shares this estuary with the southern part of the Wairau River. Both rivers then flow into Cloudy Bay.
The Name of the River
The name of the Ōpaoa River has an interesting history. There are two main ideas about where its name comes from.
Meaning of Ōpaoa
One idea is that the river was named after a chief called Paoa. Another explanation comes from the Rangitāne iwi, who are a Māori tribe. They say that Ōpaoa literally means "smoky river." This makes sense because Blenheim was built on swampy land. Because of this, the river's water was often brown or cloudy, looking a bit like smoke.
Official Name Change
In August 2014, the river's name was officially changed. It became the Ōpaoa River, which is the name used today.
