Waitangitaona River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waitangitaona River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | McFetrick Peak 2,188 metres (7,178 ft) |
| River mouth | Tasman Sea 43°08′17″S 170°14′21″E / 43.1381°S 170.2393°E |
| Length | 37 km (23 mi) |
The Waitangitaona River was once a single river in the West Coast area of New Zealand's South Island. It was known for its changing path.
In March 1967, a big flood caused the river to split into two separate rivers. This event is called an avulsion, which means a river suddenly changes its main course. Because of this big change, the two new rivers were given new names in 2018. The northern river became the Waitangitāhuna River, and the southern river became the Waitakitāhuna-ki-te-Toka.
Contents
Why the River Names Changed
The local Māori tribe, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, asked the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) to change the names. The NZGB is a group that decides official place names in New Zealand.
How the River Split
The 1967 flood was very powerful. It made the river flow onto a wide, flat area of land called an alluvial fan. This fan is made of sand and gravel carried by the river. Most of the southern river's water now flows into Lake Wahapo. However, some water was redirected into Graham Creek. This creek then joins the northern Waitangitaona River, which flows into the Tasman Sea.
Reasons for the Name Change
The NZGB agreed to the name changes for a few important reasons:
- Safety: Large stopbanks (like walls built to hold back water) were put up in the 1980s. These stopbanks make it less likely that the river will change its course again.
- Recreation: Many people use the rivers for fun activities. Having two clear names helps emergency services know exactly where to go if someone needs help.
- History: The new names also respect the history and meaning of each river's path.
The Southern River: Waitakitāhuna-ki-te-Toka
The Waitakitāhuna-ki-te-Toka is the southern river. It flows for about 21 kilometres (13 miles).
Where the Southern River Starts
This river begins in the snowy fields of the Tatare Range. It flows west, and even has a 57-metre (187-foot) waterfall! The river then reaches Lake Wahapo.
Power from the River
From Lake Wahapo, the water flows through a power station built in 1960. This station uses the river's water to create electricity. The water then continues into the Ōkārito River. State Highway 6 is the only road that crosses this river with a bridge.
The Northern River: Waitangitāhuna River
The Waitangitāhuna River is the northern river. Its name means "sounding water" or "weeping water." It flows for about 28 kilometres (17 miles).
Where the Northern River Flows
This river starts where Graham Creek and Matainui Creek meet. Matainui Creek flows through the town of Whataroa. The Waitangitāhuna River generally flows north, then west. It reaches the Tasman Sea just north of the Ōkārito Lagoon.
Nearby Rivers
The shorter Waitangiroto River flows about one kilometre (0.6 miles) south of the lower Waitangitāhuna. The Whataroa River also reaches the Tasman Sea about two kilometres (1.2 miles) north of the Waitangitāhuna's mouth.
