Wainui River (Bay of Plenty) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wainui River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Kaimai Range 551m |
| River mouth | Tauranga Harbour 37°37′42″S 175°58′03″E / 37.6283°S 175.9675°E |
| Length | 17 km (11 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 5058ha |
The Wainui River is a beautiful river located in the Bay of Plenty Region on New Zealand's North Island. It's an important part of the local environment. This river flows from the Kaimai Range all the way to Tauranga Harbour.
Contents
Exploring the Wainui River
The Wainui River begins its journey high up in the Kaimai Range mountains. From there, it flows northwards. After traveling about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles), it reaches the Tauranga Harbour. This harbor is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of a town called Katikati.
What is a River Catchment?
The area of land that collects water and drains it into a river is called a catchment. The Wainui River's catchment is quite large, covering about 5,058 hectares. Within this area, there are 191 kilometers (118.7 miles) of stream edges.
Nature and Land Use
A good portion of the Wainui River's catchment is still covered in native bush. About 41% of the land has these natural forests. However, a larger part, around 48%, is used for pasture, which means it's land where animals like cows graze. Sometimes, when land is used for pasture, it can lead to soil erosion. This is when soil is washed away, especially during heavy rain.
Waterfalls and Adventure
The Wainui River is also known for its exciting features. It has three waterfalls! These waterfalls can be as tall as 10 meters (33 feet). Some adventurous people have even enjoyed kayaking down these waterfalls.
Bridges Over the River
There are a couple of important bridges that cross the Wainui River. One is a former railway bridge, which was part of the East Coast Main Trunk railway line. This bridge is 210 feet (64 meters) long. It marks the start of what is called the Coastal Marine Area. Further downstream, another bridge carries State Highway 2 over the river. This bridge has three sections and is 31 meters (102 feet) long.
