Tasman River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tasman River |
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The Tasman River between Tasman Lake (front) and Lake Pukaki (back)
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Tasman Glacier, Murchison Glacier 715 m (2,346 ft) 43°42′23″S 170°10′18″E / 43.7064°S 170.1717°E |
| River mouth | Lake Pukaki 518 to 532 m (1,699 to 1,745 ft) 43°54′18″S 170°10′30″E / 43.905°S 170.175°E |
| Length | 25 km (16 mi) |
The Tasman River is a special kind of river found in the mountains. It flows through the Canterbury area in New Zealand's South Island. This river is known as an alpine river because it starts high up in the mountains. It is also a braided river, which means it splits into many small channels that weave in and out, like braids.
What is the Tasman River?
The Tasman River is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) long. It is a very important part of the natural landscape in New Zealand. The river helps carry water from melting glaciers down to larger lakes.
Where the River Starts
The river's journey begins in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. This park is famous for its tall mountains and glaciers. The Tasman River starts as water flowing out of a lake called Tasman Lake. This lake is a "proglacial" lake, meaning it formed right in front of a glacier as the ice melted.
The Tasman River also gets water from other places. It is fed by the Murchison River, which comes from the Murchison Glacier. Another short river, the Hooker River, also joins the Tasman. The Hooker River brings water from the proglacial lakes of the Hooker and Mueller glaciers.
The River's Journey
The Tasman River flows south through a wide, flat valley. This valley is called the Tasman Valley. It is surrounded by the impressive Southern Alps mountain range.
After its journey, the Tasman River flows into the northern end of Lake Pukaki. Lake Pukaki is another large lake formed by glaciers. The water from the Tasman River and Lake Pukaki eventually becomes part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme. This scheme uses the power of water to create electricity for New Zealand.
