Mararoa River Explained

Mararoa River
Source1 Location:Livingstone and Thomson Mountains
Mouth Location:Waiau River
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:New Zealand
Mouth Elevation:200m (700feet)

The Mararoa River is one of the braided rivers of the Southland Region of the South Island of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long-lasting cultivations" for Māraroa.[1]

Description

The river feeds into the Mavora Lakes and discharges into the Waiau River eight kilometres downstream from where it leaves Lake Manapouri. Water from the Mararoa River is fed into the Waiau River by a control structure at the confluence of the two rivers.[2] This is used to control the level of Lake Manapouri for hydroelectric power generation.

The river has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports breeding colonies of the endangered black-billed gull.[3] Didymo, an invasive organism discovered in New Zealand in 2004, has been found in the river.

See also

References

-45.6151°N 167.693°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1000 Māori place names. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  2. Web site: Manapōuri hydro power station.
  3. Web site: Mararoa River . 2012-11-15 . BirdLife data zone: Important Bird Areas . BirdLife International . 2012.