Waitaha River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waitaha River |
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The lower reaches of the Waitaha River
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Southern Alps |
| River mouth | Tasman Sea 42°57′30″S 170°39′24″E / 42.9583°S 170.6567°E |
| Length | 36 km (22 mi) |
The Waitaha River is a famous river located in the West Coast area of New Zealand's South Island. It's sometimes called the "Mt Cook of rivers" because it's one of the best and most exciting whitewater rivers in the country. A plan to build a power plant on the river was recently turned down by the New Zealand government.
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About the Waitaha River
The name "Waitaha" comes from the Māori language. "Wai" means river or stream, and "taha" means to pass on one side. This name was given by the Waitaha people, an early iwi (which means tribe or nation) from the South Island. They named many places in the area.
Where the River Flows
The Waitaha River starts in the Bloomfield Range of the Southern Alps. This is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of a mountain called Mount Whitcombe. The river then flows towards the northwest.
It eventually reaches the Tasman Sea, which is about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) southwest of a town called Ross. Near the coast, the river flows under State Highway 6. Just after this bridge, another river, the Kakapotahi River (also known as the Little Waitaha River), joins the Waitaha River.
Gold in the Waitaha River
The Waitaha River is well-known for its gold. People have found two types of gold here: alluvial gold and gold left behind by glaciers. Alluvial gold is found in riverbeds, washed down by the water. Coarse gold, which means larger pieces, has been found downstream from a place called Morgans Gorge. This is where the river opens up into flatter areas. Even today, several gold mining operations are still active in this region.
Whitewater Fun
The Morgan Gorge, which is part of the Waitaha River, is a very popular spot for whitewater kayaking. It's known for being one of the most challenging and exciting places to kayak in New Zealand. This is why the river earned its nickname, the "Mt Cook of rivers," comparing its challenge to New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook.
The Power Project
There was a plan by a company called Westpower Ltd to build a dam on the Waitaha River. This dam would have been used to generate electricity. The mayor of Westland, Bruce Smith, supported this project.
However, many groups were against the dam. These included the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, which works to protect New Zealand's nature. Whitewater NZ, a group that looks after the interests of kayakers and canoeists, also opposed it. The Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC), which represents people who enjoy the outdoors, was also against the plan.
The land along the middle and upper parts of the river is conservation land. This means it's protected by the Department of Conservation (DOC). This land has "stewardship status," which offers some protection, but not as much as a national park. DOC had given early approval for a 1.5 km long water tunnel to be built. They were going to make a final decision after public meetings that ended in December 2016.
