Okana River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Okana River |
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Okana River flooding Little River
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Takiritawai River |
The Okana River, once known as the Ohiriri River, is a cool river found on the Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury area of New Zealand's South Island. It flows southwest, passing by the small town of Little River. Here, it joins up with the Okuti River. Together, these two rivers form a short river called the Takiritawai River, which then flows into the northern part of Lake Forsyth.
When the River Rises: The 2011 Flood
On October 19, 2011, the Okana River caused some serious flooding in Little River. This was the worst flood the town had seen in many years. The main road, State Highway 75, even had to be closed because of the high water.
People who had lived in Little River for a long time said that this flood was the biggest since a famous storm on April 10, 1968. That storm was known as the Wahine storm, named after a ferry that sank during it. This shows how powerful the Okana River can be when there's a lot of rain.
