Hāpuku River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hāpuku River |
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Location of the mouth within New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Seaward Kaikōura Range Highest tributaries rise at about 2,000m |
| River mouth | South Pacific Ocean Sea level |
| Length | About 20km |
The Hāpuku River is a river in New Zealand. It starts high up in the Seaward Kaikōura Range. The river then flows southeast and empties into the South Pacific Ocean. This happens near a place called Hapuka, which is between the towns of Clarence and Kaikōura.
Its name comes from the Māori word hāpuku. This is the name of a type of deep-water fish. The main river that flows into the Hāpuku River is called the Puhi Puhi River.
Contents
Bridges over the River
The Hāpuku River has two important bridges crossing it. One is a railway bridge, built in 1940. It is about 457 meters (1,500 feet) long and has 23 sections. The first railway bridge was finished in 1915.
The other bridge carries State Highway 1 (SH1). This road bridge was built in 1983. It is about 227 meters (745 feet) long and 8.6 meters (28 feet) wide. It has 11 sections.
River Flooding
In 1953, some rivers in the area had serious floods. However, the Hāpuku River only rose about 2 meters (6.5 feet) at the railway bridge. This was probably because its source is high up and its riverbed is wide.
The wide riverbed is also a source of material used for railway tracks. But in 1868, a flood caused more damage upstream. Another flood in 1941 also harmed the railway.
Wildlife
The area around the Hāpuku River is home to different kinds of animals. You can find black-eyed geckos near the river's source. Another interesting insect found here is the bluff weta.
Banded dotterels, which are small birds, also breed in the Hāpuku area. Some animals that were brought to New Zealand, like red deer, goats, pigs, and chamois, also live here. The number of goats is kept low by hunting.
Huts and the Earthquake
There used to be two huts in the Hāpuku valley for people exploring the area. They were called Hapuku Hut and Barratts Bivvy, and walking paths connected them.
However, a large landslide happened during the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. This landslide blocked the river, causing water to build up behind it. Sadly, this rising water destroyed Barratts Hut and Bivvy.
Railway History
A railway station called Hapuka was open from 1944 to 1981. Even though the station is closed now, a passing loop (where trains can wait for others to pass) and a siding for railway ballast (material used for tracks) are still there.
See also
In Spanish: Río Hapuku para niños
