Harania Creek facts for kids

Harania Creek is a shallow waterway in Auckland, New Zealand. It's part of the Mangere Inlet which flows into the Manukau Harbour. This creek stretches about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) from near the Mangere Bridge into the heart of Māngere.

The creek gets its water from several smaller streams. These streams carry water from homes, factories, and parks in areas like Ōtāhuhu, Māngere East, and Favona. The biggest stream that feeds Harania Creek comes from behind the Pacific Steel area.

What is Harania Creek?

Harania Creek is a type of waterway called an estuary. This means it's a place where fresh water from rivers and streams mixes with salty ocean water. The amount of water in the creek changes a lot with the tides. When the tide is low, parts of the creek become very shallow.

Mangroves and the Creek

The upper parts of Harania Creek are surrounded by special trees called mangroves. These trees started growing in the area around the 1970s. Before that, there was a lot of pollution from large factories nearby. Once the pollution stopped, the mangroves began to thrive.

The roots of the mangroves are very important. They grow tightly together, helping to shape the creek's path. Over time, these roots have also helped the creek become deeper. Mangroves are also important homes for many small animals.

Studying Harania Creek

Scientists from Auckland University have studied Harania Creek. They looked at how the land and water in the creek have changed over time. This type of study is called geomorphology, which means understanding how the Earth's surface changes.

One main focus of their research was how changing sea levels affect the creek. Understanding these changes helps us learn more about our environment.

Images for kids

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  An aerial view of the Harania Creek in 2008