Silver Stream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver Stream |
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Silver Stream River at Whare Flat.
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 Mouth of Silver Stream
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| Country | New Zealand |
| region | Otago |
| District | Dunedin |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Silverpeaks |
| River mouth | Taieri River 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of Allanton 45°53′23″S 170°16′10″E / 45.889661°S 170.269486°E |
| Length | 24 kilometres (15 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Taieri River |
The Silver Stream is a small river in Otago, New Zealand. Its Māori name is Whakaehu. Sometimes people also call it Silverstream. This river flows near the town of Mosgiel.
Contents
Where Does the Silver Stream Begin and End?
The Silver Stream starts in the Silverpeaks hills. These hills are north of Dunedin. It begins on the southern side of a peak called Silver Peak.
First, the river flows south through a steep, forest-filled valley. This valley later opens up into an area known as Whare Flat. Then, it turns west when it reaches the edge of the Taieri Plains. This is near a place called Three Mile Hill.
The river continues flowing southwest. It passes the northern part of Mosgiel. Finally, the Silver Stream joins the Taieri River. This meeting point is about two kilometres north of Allanton. The river is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) long in total.
What is the Silver Stream Water Race?
The Silver Stream was once home to a special water system. It was called the Silver Stream Water Race. This system was built between 1877 and 1881. Its purpose was to carry water for people to use.
The water race was very long, nearly 30 kilometres (19 mi). It included open channels, tunnels, and small dams. Water started from a dam high up in the river. It then traveled along the sides of Swampy Summit and Flagstaff. The water ended up in a reservoir in Kaikorai Valley.
Over time, the water race had problems. The ground sometimes sank, damaging the channels. In the 1920s, a pump was added to help. But the system still faced issues. Because of these problems, much of the race was put into pipes. The whole system was finally stopped in the 1960s.
Does the Silver Stream Flood?
The Silver Stream usually has a small amount of water flowing. But in the past, it has caused floods. To stop this, the river banks have been made higher. This is especially true near Mosgiel.
In 2006, there was a lot of rain. The Silver Stream did flood in some areas. However, the parts of the bank near Mosgiel held strong. They did not flood the town.
Activities and Local Connections
Many walking paths are found near the Silver Stream. Some of these paths are in the river's valley. Most of these walks are for people who are experienced hikers.
The river has also given its name to local places. For example, Silverstream School in Mosgiel is named after the river. There is also a street called Silverstream Drive in Mosgiel.
