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Makarora River

Coordinates: 44°19′04″S 169°10′17″E / 44.31777°S 169.17143°E / -44.31777; 169.17143
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Makarora River
The Makarora River flows into northern end of Lake Wānaka.
Map
Route of the Makarora River
Makarora River is located in South Island
Makarora River
Mouth of the Makarora River
Makarora River is located in New Zealand
Makarora River
Makarora River (New Zealand)
Native nameMakarore (Māori)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
DistrictQueenstown-Lakes
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Brewster
 • coordinates44°04′53″S 169°27′34″E / 44.08138°S 169.45956°E / -44.08138; 169.45956
Mouth 
 • location
Lake Wānaka
 • coordinates
44°19′04″S 169°10′17″E / 44.31777°S 169.17143°E / -44.31777; 169.17143
 • elevation
300 m (980 ft)
Length35 km (22 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionMakarora RiverLake WānakaClutha River / Mata-AuPacific Ocean
Tributaries 
 • leftStewart Creek, Kiwi Creek, Camerons Creek, Muddy Creek, Templeton Creek, Brady Creek, Sawmill Creek, Pipson Creek, White Creek, Station Creek, Ewings Creek, Boggy Creek, Flaxmill Creek, Ōturaki Creek
 • rightFish River, Blue River, Ore Stream, Leven Stream, Young River, Tiel Creek, Wilkin River

The Makarora River is in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.

Name

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The Kāi Tahu name for the river is Makarore. Manga (maka in the Kāi Tahu dialect) means stream. However the meaning of rore in this context is unknown.[1]

Geography

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The headwaters are in Mount Aspiring National Park, on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps near Haast Pass, which is the saddle between the Makarora and Haast River valleys. The Makarora River flows south into the northern end of Lake Wānaka after passing the small community of Makarora. The river attracts some recreational fishing, jetboating and kayaking. Rainbow and brown trout migrate from Lake Wānaka up the river and its tributaries to spawn, mainly in autumn and winter.[2]

Landslide

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In September 2007 a landslide in the Young River valley blocked off the corresponding stream. Young River is a tributary to Makarora River. The landslide created a new lake which appears to be permanent.[citation needed]

Tourism

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State Highway 6 follows the Makarora River for the majority of its course from just south of Haast Pass. A popular[3] short walk leads to its confluence with the Blue River, at the aptly named Blue Pools.[4] Cameron Flat Campground is a convenient campsite with a cooking shelter and bathrooms directly off State Highway 6.[citation needed]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Makarore". Kā Huru Manu. Nga Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  2. ^ Info panel at Blue Pools, Department of Conservation NZ
  3. ^ "101 Kiwi Must Do's: The Blue Pools of Haast Pass". NZ Automobile Association. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Blue Pools Track". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
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