Tarawera River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tarawera River |
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Tarawera River on the Rangitaiki Plains
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Bay of Plenty |
| Length | 65 km (40 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 906 km2 (350 sq mi) (measured up to Awakaponga) |
The Tarawera River is a river found in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island of New Zealand. It starts from Lake Tarawera and flows for about 65 kilometers (40 miles).
The river flows northeast, passing by the active volcano Mount Tarawera. It then goes past the town of Kawerau before turning north. Finally, it reaches the Bay of Plenty about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) west of Edgecumbe. The Tarawera Falls on this river are known for being very impressive and beautiful.
River Health and Pollution
The Tarawera River has faced challenges with its water quality over the years.
What Caused the Pollution?
Since 1955, a large paper and pulp mill, called the Tasman Mill, has been releasing its used water into the river. This has caused the river to become darker in color. Local people even started calling it the "Black Drain" because of this.
The dark color and pollution in the river come from a few sources. These include water runoff from farms, sewage, and stormwater. However, most of the pollution has come from the paper and pulp mill. For example, in 1997, these mills were releasing over 160 million liters (about 42 million gallons) of industrial waste into the river every day.
Efforts to Improve the River
Over time, efforts have been made to improve the river's health. By 2006, the amount of oxygen in the river had improved enough for fish to live there again, even though the water was still dark. Since 1998, the color of the water and how much light can pass through it have gotten better in the lower parts of the river. This is because less pollution is coming from the Tasman Mill.
Local groups have also worked to protect the river. In 2010, some local iwi (Māori tribes) tried to get permits for water discharge shortened. These permits allowed the mill to continue releasing water into the river. Even though their appeal was not successful, these actions show how much people care about the river's future.
