Wilberforce River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilberforce River |
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Location of the mouth within New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Southern Alps |
| River mouth | Rakaia River |
The Wilberforce River is a river found in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It flows through the western part of Canterbury. The river naturally flows into the Rakaia River.
However, some of the Wilberforce River's water has been redirected. This was done as part of a hydroelectricity project. Hydroelectricity uses the power of moving water to create electricity. The water was sent into Lake Coleridge to help the Coleridge Power Station make more electricity. This project started in 1977.
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The Wilberforce River's Journey
The Wilberforce River starts high up in the Southern Alps. These are tall mountains that run along the South Island of New Zealand. The river then flows down, joining the larger Rakaia River. Rivers like the Wilberforce that flow into a bigger river are called tributaries.
Water for Power
A big part of the Wilberforce River's story is how its water helps make electricity. The water is moved through special channels to Lake Coleridge. From there, it goes to the Coleridge Power Station. This power station uses the force of the water to spin turbines. These turbines then create clean electricity for homes and businesses.
A River's Role in History
Long ago, people thought about building a railway line through the area where the Wilberforce River flows. This was part of a plan for the Midland Line. This railway would connect Christchurch on the east coast to Westland on the west coast.
Railway Plans and Routes
One idea was to extend a railway branch line, called the Whitecliffs Branch, through the Wilberforce River valley and over a place called Browning's Pass. However, this plan was not chosen. Instead, engineers decided on a different route for the railway. They chose a path that went through Arthur's Pass. This shows how rivers and mountains often play a big role in how people plan transportation routes.
