Waitakaruru Stream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waitakaruru Stream |
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Waterfall on the Waitakaruru Stream, beside the Morrinsville River Walk
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Te Miro-Tahuroa Hills 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| River mouth | Piako River, at Morrinsville 20 m (66 ft) |
| Length | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 175 km2 (68 sq mi) |
The Waitakaruru Stream is an important stream in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It flows into the Piako River. It's good to know that there's another stream with a very similar name, the Waitakaruru River, also in the Waikato region. Don't get them mixed up!
Contents
Where the Stream Flows
The Waitakaruru Stream starts in the Te Miro-Tahuroa Hills. These hills are located south of a town called Morrinsville, in the Waikato District.
Stream's Journey
When the stream first begins, it flows south and then southwest. It travels through a place known as Scotsman's Valley. After this, the stream turns north near Tauwhare. It then flows alongside the Pakaroa Range.
The stream continues its journey into the Matamata-Piako District. It passes through a small settlement called Motumaoho. As it gets closer to Morrinsville, the stream slowly turns more towards the east.
Meeting the Piako River
Right on the southern edge of Morrinsville, the Waitakaruru Stream joins the bigger Piako River. There's even a 1.8 km (1.1 mi) walkway next to the stream in Morrinsville. It's a great spot for a walk!
How People Use the Land Around the Stream
The land around the Waitakaruru Stream has changed a lot over time. Today, it's mostly used for farming. Farmers raise sheep, beef cattle, and dairy cows here.
Water Management
Sometimes, parts of the stream's middle section can flood a little. This happens because the stream channel gets narrower between Eureka and Motumaoho. The Waikato Regional Council helps manage the stream as part of the Eureka Drainage Scheme. This scheme helps control the water flow.
The Stream's Special Role
The Waitakaruru Stream is special because it helps mark a boundary. It separates the area where water flows into the Piako River from the area where water flows into the Waikato River.
Different Paths to the Ocean
The Piako River eventually flows into the Firth of Thames. From there, its water reaches the Pacific Ocean. But the Waikato River takes a different path. It flows into the Tasman Sea. The Mangaonua Stream is a nearby stream that feeds into the Waikato River. Interestingly, it also has a tributary named Waitakaruru Stream!
Animals in the Stream
Near where the Waitakaruru Stream begins, in the Scotsman Valley area, you can find different kinds of fish and other water creatures.
Stream Life
Some of the animals that live in the stream include:
- Short-finned eels and long-fin eels: These are types of eels found in New Zealand.
- Common bully: A small fish often found in streams.
- Torrentfish: Another type of fish that likes fast-flowing water.
- Koura: These are freshwater crayfish, similar to small lobsters.
Images for kids
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Waterfall on the Waitakaruru Stream, beside the Morrinsville River Walk
