Cam River / Ruataniwha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cam River / Ruataniwha |
|
|---|---|
| Native name | Ruataniwha |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| District | Waimakariri District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Rangiora 43°18′00″S 172°36′29″E / 43.3000°S 172.608°E |
| River mouth | Kaiapoi River Kaiapoi 43°22′34.77″S 172°39′8.25″E / 43.3763250°S 172.6522917°E |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Waimakariri River |
The Cam River / Ruataniwha is a small river in the Canterbury area of New Zealand. It is located on the South Island. This river flows into the Kaiapoi River, which then flows into the larger Waimakariri River.
Contents
The Journey of the Cam River / Ruataniwha
The Cam River / Ruataniwha starts its journey just east of the town of Rangiora. From there, it flows south across the wide, flat Canterbury Plains. Its path eventually leads it towards the town of Kaiapoi.
Tributaries and Streams
As the Cam River flows, it collects water from other smaller streams. It has two main named streams that join it: North Brook and South Brook. Both of these streams also begin in the Rangiora area. Besides these, several other unnamed streams and drainage canals also feed into the river.
Why Does the River Have Two Names?
The river's official name used to be just "Cam River." However, its name was changed to the dual name Cam River / Ruataniwha. This change happened because of a special law called the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act in 1998. This law helped recognize the history and rights of the Ngāi Tahu Māori people.
Wildlife in the River
The Cam River is home to different types of fish. You can find a small number of Brown trout and Chinook salmon living here. These fish are important to the river's ecosystem.
Spawning Grounds for Fish
The smaller streams that flow into the Cam River are very important for these fish. North Brook and South Brook are special places where trout and salmon lay their eggs. This process is called spawning. Unfortunately, another stream called Middle Brook has too much silt (mud and sand), so fish cannot spawn there.
