Drake River facts for kids

The Drake River is a small but interesting river in New Zealand. It flows through the beautiful Mount Aspiring National Park, which is a protected area known for its stunning mountains and wild nature. The river is located in the southern part of Westland, a region on the South Island.

The Drake River is about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long. It starts its journey in the mighty Southern Alps, a large mountain range that runs down the spine of the South Island.

River's Journey

The Drake River has a unique path as it flows through the landscape.

Flowing Through the Park

For its first seven kilometres, the river flows towards the south. This means it travels away from the mountains where it began. After this southerly stretch, the river makes a turn. It changes direction and flows towards the northeast for another five kilometres.

Joining Another River

Finally, the Drake River reaches its end point. It flows into the Waiatoto River, which is a larger river in the same area. This is where the waters of the Drake River join with the Waiatoto River and continue their journey together.

Exploring the River

People have been exploring and mapping the rivers of New Zealand for a long time.

Early Surveys

It is believed that the smaller streams and branches that feed into the Drake River were explored and given names way back in 1885. A person named Mueller likely carried out these surveys. This helped people understand the geography of the area better.

Future Possibilities

Sometimes, rivers can be used for more than just flowing water.

Generating Power

There's an idea to use the power of the Drake River to create electricity. This could happen near where the Drake River meets the Waiatoto River. Engineers have looked into the possibility of building a power-generating plant there. This plant could potentially produce 30 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power many homes and businesses. This kind of project uses the natural flow of water to create clean energy.