Waianiwaniwa River facts for kids
The Waianiwaniwa River is a cool river found in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It's an important part of the local landscape.
Where Does the Waianiwaniwa River Flow?
The Waianiwaniwa River starts in the Wyndale Hills. These hills are near the huge Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana mountain range. The river then flows into another river called the Selwyn River / Waikirikiri. A "tributary" is a smaller river that flows into a larger one.
A Look Back: History of the Waianiwaniwa River Area
A long time ago, the land around the Waianiwaniwa River belonged to the Deans family. One of the Deans sisters later sold a part of this land to the Hawke family. The Hawke family worked hard to change the land. They turned areas covered in tussock grass into farms for dairy cows. The houses built by William A Hawke and Ernie Hawke are still there today. Ernie Hawke was also the first farmer in this area to use special aircraft. These planes were used for "top dressing," which means spreading fertilizer from the air to help crops grow better.
Plans for the River's Future
There are plans to build a dam on the Waianiwaniwa River. This project is part of a bigger plan called the Central Plains Water Enhancement Scheme. The dam would help provide water for farming, especially for irrigation. Irrigation is when water is supplied to land to help plants grow.
However, some groups are not happy about this plan. Environmental groups like Fish and Game and Forest and Bird are against it. The local Malvern Hills Protection Society also opposes the dam. These groups are worried about how building a dam might affect the river's environment and the animals that live there. They want to protect the natural beauty and health of the Waianiwaniwa River.
