Bowen River (New Zealand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bowen River |
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Bowen River flowing over the Lady Bowen Falls into Milford Sound
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 Location of Bowen River mouth in the south island of New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Darran Mountains, Fiordland |
| River mouth | Milford Sound, Tasman Sea 0 m (0 ft) 44°39′55″S 167°55′34″E / 44.66528°S 167.92611°E |
| Length | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
The Bowen River is a short but important river in the beautiful Fiordland region of New Zealand. It starts high up in the mountains and flows south. After about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), the river creates a stunning waterfall. This waterfall is called the Lady Bowen Falls.
Lady Bowen Falls: A Natural Wonder
The Bowen River plunges 162 meters (531 feet) over the Lady Bowen Falls. This amazing waterfall drops into the famous Milford Sound. It's one of only two waterfalls in Milford Sound that flows all year round.
The falls are named after Diamantina Bowen. She was the wife of George Bowen, who was a governor of New Zealand a long time ago.
Powering Milford Sound
The Lady Bowen Falls is more than just a pretty sight. It helps power the small village at Milford Sound. The water from the falls feeds a small hydroelectric system. This system turns the water's energy into electricity for the community.
The falls also provide all the drinking water for the people living in Milford Sound. It's a very important natural resource for the area.
Visiting the Falls
For many years, there was a walking path to the bottom of the falls. However, parts of the path became unsafe due to falling rocks. Because of this, the track was closed in 2003.
Good news! In 2018, a part of the track was reopened. Now, you can take a short boat ride from the Freshwater Basin Terminal in Milford. This boat trip takes you to the first part of the path, allowing visitors to see the falls up close again.
