Ōreti River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ōreti River |
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Ōreti River near Lumsden
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The Ōreti River system
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| Native name | Ōreti |
| Other name(s) | New River |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland |
| Cities | Invercargill |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Thomson Mountains 45°9′18″S 168°12′43″E / 45.15500°S 168.21194°E |
| River mouth | New River Estuary Foveaux Strait Sea level 46°28′S 168°17′E / 46.467°S 168.283°E |
| Length | 170 kilometres (110 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Ōreti River is a major river in Southland, New Zealand. It is about 170 kilometers (106 miles) long. This river is special because it is an Important Bird Area. Many black-billed gulls build their nests and raise their young here.
The name Ōreti comes from the Māori language. It means "place of the snare". In November 2019, the river's name was officially changed to Ōreti River.
Contents
Where Does the Ōreti River Start and End?
The Ōreti River begins near the Mavora Lakes. These lakes are located between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu. From there, the river flows south across the Southland Plains.
It eventually reaches the Foveaux Strait at the end of Oreti Beach. Along its journey, the Ōreti River passes through several towns. These include Lumsden and Winton. It also flows through the city of Invercargill, near its mouth.
The New River Estuary
Near the city of Invercargill, the Ōreti River is sometimes called the New River. This name is often used for the part of the river close to the city and its estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea.
The Ōreti River shares this estuary with other smaller rivers. The most notable of these is the Waihopai River.
Challenges for the Estuary
The New River Estuary is facing some problems. Recent scientific reports show that parts of the upper estuary are under stress. This means they are not as healthy as they should be.
One issue is called eutrophication. This happens when there are too many nutrients in the water. It leads to a lot of algae growing, which can harm the environment.
River Activities
The Ōreti River is also a place for sports. The Invercargill Rowing Club moved to the river in 1958. This means people have been rowing on the Ōreti River for many years.
See also
In Spanish: Río Oreti para niños
