Cass River (Mackenzie District) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cass River |
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|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Hall Range 1,900 m (6,200 ft) |
| River mouth | Lake Tekapo 710 m (2,330 ft) 43°53′04″S 170°30′47″E / 43.8844°S 170.5130°E |
| Length | 38 km (24 mi) |
The Cass River is a cool mountain river found in the Canterbury area of the South Island of New Zealand. It starts high up in the Hall Range, near a place called Rankin Pass. It also gets some of its water from the nearby Huxley Glacier, which is a large body of ice.
After flowing very quickly downhill for about 600 meters (about 2,000 feet), the river slows down. It then flows south for about 25 kilometers (15 miles) through a flat valley. Here, the river splits into many different channels that weave in and out, which is called a braided river.
Where is the Cass River Located?
The Cass River is surrounded by mountains. To its west, you'll find the Leibig Range and the Gamack Range. To the east, there's the Haszard Range. These mountain ranges help shape the valley where the river flows.
The river eventually flows into the western side of Lake Tekapo. When it reaches the lake, it has dropped a lot of gravel and sediment. This has created a special landform called a gravel delta, which is like a fan-shaped area of land built up by the river's deposits.
Who is the Cass River Named After?
The Cass River is named after a very important person named Thomas Cass. He was the Chief Surveyor for the Canterbury Province from 1851 to 1867. A surveyor is someone who measures and maps out land. So, the river was named in his honor because of his work in the region.
