The Waipawa River is a braided river of southern Hawke's Bay, in New Zealand's eastern North Island.[1] It flows from the slopes of 1,687 m (5,535 ft) Te Atuaoparapara (once known as 'Sixty-six')[2] in the Ruahine Range southeast past the town of Waipawa before joining the Tukituki River.[3] The river rises at the 1,326 m (4,350 ft) Waipawa Saddle, which is also the source of the Waikamaka River.[4] West of Waipawa, near Ruataniwha,[5] the Mangaonuku Stream is a tributary on the northern bank. The Waipawa's flow is generally greater than that of the Tukituki River, into which it flows.[6]
Waipawa River | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | New Zealand |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Ruahine Range |
• elevation | 1,687 m (5,535 ft) |
Mouth | |
• location | Tukituki River |
• elevation | 120 m (390 ft) |
Length | 57 km (35 mi) |
Basin features | |
Tributaries | |
• left | Makaroro River Mangaonuku Stream |
The Old Bed of Waipawa River flows roughly parallel with and north of the present Waipawa River to join the Tukituki through the Papanui Stream, south west of Lake Poukawa.[7] The Waipawa changed its course during a flood in 1868.[8]
River quality is sampled at the SH50 bridge. At that site its Macroinvertebrate Community Index is C (of grades A to D) and likely degrading, but it is in the best 25% of rivers for most samples, except clarity. In warm weather cyanobacteria sometimes develop.[9] Other main routes crossing the river are SH2 and the Palmerston North–Gisborne railway at Waipawa.[10]
There are hundreds of banded dotterel (pohowera) and pied stilt around the river.[1]
Waipawa Forks Hut provides accommodation close to the headwaters of the river.[11] On the ridge to the north, above the headwaters, is Sunrise Hut. It is the most popular hut in the Ruahine Park and was renovated in 2020.[12] A day walk is possible, via Sunrise and the Saddle.[13]
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