39-683: The Waimakariri Gorge is located on the Waimakariri River in inland Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand. The height of the Waimakariri gorge bridge is 30m. Like its neighbour, the Rakaia River , the Waimakariri runs through wide shingle beds for much of its length, but is forced through a narrow canyon as it approaches the Canterbury Plains . Much of the gorge is followed by
78-486: A healthy natural ecosystem, especially fish and wildlife habitat, and a decrease in the number of people participating in trout fishing and other activities has been recorded since 1996. In a 2010 report on lake water quality Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora was deemed the second most polluted lake in New Zealand in terms of nutrient content and algal growth. Algal blooms are a regular summer occurrence and toxic algae bloomed in
117-453: A ward in the city of Christchurch . The lake holds high historical and cultural significance to the indigenous Māori population and the traditional Māori name Te Waihora , means spreading waters . It has officially had a dual English/Māori name since at least 1938. Currently Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is a brackish bar-type waterbody, commonly called a lake or lagoon . It covers an area of 198 square kilometres (76 sq mi), and
156-472: A wide variety of birds , with over 200 species (if extinct species are also included) having been recorded at the lake and its direct surroundings. Lake Ellesmere has become a well-known bird watching location for certain rare species, such as the Australasian Bittern , Marsh Crake and Kotuku . Wading birds of various species frequent the lake and its surroundings, including native species such as
195-399: Is New Zealand's 5th largest lake (by area). This illustrates why Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora has undergone significant ecological transformation in recent years as land use practices in the catchment area have changed. Southern elephant seals have been observed here, spending short periods in the lake. Basking sharks have occasionally entered the lake. Lake Ellesmere is also home to
234-628: Is joined by the Bealey River as it flows across wide shingle beds. As the river is joined by the Esk River , the Waimakariri river is forced into a narrow series of gorges and ceases being braided. This continues as the river flows through the foothills of the Southern Alps, and its valley is used by the Midland Line railway as part of its traverse of the Southern Alps. The river exits the foothills at
273-593: Is just downstream from the Waimakariri Falls located on a tramping track close to the Waimakariri Falls Hut. 43°01′11″S 171°35′47″E / 43.01981°S 171.5964°E / -43.01981; 171.5964 ( Bealey Bridge ) The Bealey Bridge is located immediately upstream from where the Bealey River flows into the Waimakariri. It is part of State Highway 73 . Bealey Bridge
312-616: Is located 48 kilometres (30 mi) downstream from the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge. As part of the Christchurch Northern Motorway , each bridge was widened from two to three lanes during 2020, plus a cycleway added. 43°24′47″S 172°39′05″E / 43.41310°S 172.65137°E / -43.41310; 172.65137 ( Main North Road bridge ) Just 400 metres (1,300 ft) downstream from
351-522: Is located where Red Beech Stream flows into the Waimakariri. 43°00′21″S 171°44′49″E / 43.00573°S 171.74686°E / -43.00573; 171.74686 ( Mount White Bridge ) The Mount White Bridge is, as the crow flies , located 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) downstream from the KiwiRail bridge. It is much older than the Bealey Bridge. The abutment on the left bank of
390-687: Is one of the few remaining habitats for the critically endangered Canterbury mudfish (kowaro), which previously inhabited wetlands across the Canterbury plains, while a portion of its riverbank is home to one of only two known remaining populations of Olearia adenocarpa . Introduced fish are common along the entirety of the Waimakariri River, making the river a popular location for fishing. As with most of New Zealand, this primarily includes brown and rainbow trout , as well as Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ). The salmon population dates to
429-470: Is proposing to take 40 cubic metres per second (1,400 cu ft/s) of water from two points on the Waimakariri River as part of the Central Plains Water enhancement scheme. In 2007 the Waimakariri was ranked as one of the ten most polluted of the larger rivers in New Zealand. Some of the pollution was caused by liquid wastes from industries such as a meat processing plant and wool scourers in
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#1732858567205468-451: Is single-lane, with a passing bay in the middle. It is in a remote location and does not cater for pedestrians. 43°00′42″S 171°42′53″E / 43.01153°S 171.7148°E / -43.01153; 171.7148 ( Midland Line bridge #42 ) Some 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) downstream from the Bealey Bridge, the Midland Line crosses the river. KiwiRail records this bridge as number 42 on its bridge asset list. It
507-649: Is vested in the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury). The name Waimakariri comes from the Māori words wai , meaning water , and makariri , meaning cold . The river was briefly renamed as the Courtenay River in 1849 by the chief surveyor of the Canterbury Association , Joseph Thomas , in honour of Lord Courtenay . However, this name quickly fell into disuse in favour of
546-507: The Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is directly to the west of Banks Peninsula , separated from the Pacific Ocean by the long, narrow, sandy Kaitorete Spit , or more correctly Kaitorete Barrier. It lies partially in extreme southeastern Selwyn District and partially in the southwestern extension of the former Banks Peninsula District, which now (since 2006) is
585-510: The Midland line . The Waimakariri Gorge Bridge was built in 1876 by William Stocks. Until the early 1930s, it carried the Oxford Branch railway line connecting Oxford and Sheffield . This Canterbury Region -related geography article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Waimakariri River The Waimakariri River is one of the largest rivers in Canterbury , on
624-410: The Oxford Branch ). The bridge is on the register of Heritage New Zealand as a Category II structure. 43°24′55″S 172°38′48″E / 43.41519°S 172.64672°E / -43.41519; 172.64672 ( SH1 Waimakariri Bridges ) The SH1 Waimakariri Bridges are twin bridges connecting Christchurch with the region north of the Waimakariri River via State Highway 1 . It
663-554: The Pied Stilt , South Island Pied Oystercatcher , Banded Dotterel and Wrybill , and also Arctic migrants such as the Bar-Tailed Godwit , Red-Necked Stint , Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper and Pacific Golden Plover , among others. Waterfowl are also prominent residents on the lake, with native species including Paradise Shelduck , New Zealand Scaup , Australasian Shoveler and Grey Teal . Grey Teal are actually considered one of
702-590: The Waimakariri Gorge , at which point it again expands to a braided system. Once on the Canterbury Plains, the Waimakariri flows in a roughly east-south-easterly direction towards the Pacific Ocean. As with other braided river systems, the main channels frequently change within the primary riverbed, especially during periods of high flow rates. Geological evidence indicates that this mobility has extended to
741-492: The Canterbury Rivers Act 1868. The river currently reaches the Pacific Ocean just to the north of Christchurch, entering Pegasus Bay by way of Brooklands Lagoon. The Waimakariri marks one of only a few breaks in the roughly 50 km (31 mi) length of Pegasus Bay. Along with two other rivers which enter Pegasus Bay ( Ashley River / Rakahuri and Waipara River ), the Waimakariri is almost entirely responsible for
780-560: The Waimakariri is located within the delta created by the Hawdon River . 43°21′36″S 172°03′01″E / 43.35987°S 172.05027°E / -43.35987; 172.05027 ( Waimakariri Gorge Bridge ) The Waimakariri Gorge Bridge is, as the crow flies , located 46 kilometres (29 mi) downstream from the Mount White bridge. This bridge was completed in 1877 and originally served both road and rail traffic (of
819-520: The cultural health of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora was undertaken as a combined effort by Ngai Tahu and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). As well as holding high cultural significance to the indigenous population Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is also rated as a nationally significant site for recreation. The lake is currently used for a wide range of water and land based activities. Many of these activities are reliant on
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#1732858567205858-531: The early 1900s, when they were introduced from California, and results in large salmon runs near the river mouth in summer. In 1923 the river was mainly investigated for a hydroelectric dam to supply electricity to Christchurch. It received support from the community but the dam was never built since the Government offered inexpensive electricity from the Lake Coleridge scheme. The Central Plains Water Trust
897-456: The eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island . It flows for 151 kilometres (94 mi) in a generally southeastward direction from the Southern Alps across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean . The river rises on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps, eight kilometres southwest of Arthur's Pass . For much of its upper reaches, the river is braided , with wide shingle beds. As
936-430: The garden and against the house in a wave that thumped as did a blasting operation at a distance. Immediately the house was surrounded, and the wave went on, eating up the fields with rapid teeth of dirty foam, in which sticks and grass and debris turned over, were engulfed, and reappeared in an endless sucking whirlpool. Lake Ellesmere Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is a broad, shallow coastal lake or waituna , in
975-501: The lake as part of Canterbury plains, which were then flooded, forming a bay, then an estuary and finally a lake / lagoon / waituna. Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora has been a revered mahinga kai (site of traditional significance for food and other natural resources) for Māori since ancient times and remains central to the lives of many Māori who now live in the area. Under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement 1998, ownership of
1014-489: The lake bed of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora was returned to Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Tahu, who are now able to reassert their rangatiratanga (ownership) over this significant site through direct control of its management. The traditional name for the lake was Te Kete Ika o Rākaihautū meaning "the fish basket of Rākaihautū ". The food sources of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora were once abundant and included tuna (eels), pātiki (flounder) and aua (mullet). Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora
1053-583: The lake, as can some tern species such as the Caspian Tern , White-Fronted Tern and Black-Fronted Tern , and the rarer White-Winged Tern . A wide variety of other birds can also be seen in and around the lake, including White-Faced Heron , Eastern Cattle Egret , Royal Spoonbill , Australasian Harrier , Pukeko , Spotless Crake , Sacred Kingfisher , as well as various introduced Galliforms and both native and introduced Passerines . A variety of rare vagrant birds have also appeared at Lake Ellesmere over
1092-486: The most abundant bird species on the lake. Introduced waterfowl species include Mallards , feral Greylag Geese , Canada Geese , Mute Swan and Black Swan , with the latter being another one of the lake's most abundant birds. Cormorants / Shags such as the Black Shag , Pied Shag and Little Shag are commonly seen in the lake. Black-Backed Gull , Red-Billed Gull and Black-Billed Gull can be seen in and around
1131-453: The river approaches the Canterbury Plains , it passes through a belt of mountains, and is forced into a narrow canyon (the Waimakariri Gorge ), before reverting to its braided form for its passage across the plains. It enters the Pacific north of Christchurch , near the town of Kaiapoi . Instead of being unoccupied Crown land as are most New Zealand river beds, the bed of the Waimakariri River
1170-489: The river itself in the past, at times flowing through the current location of Christchurch into what is now the Avon Heathcote Estuary , and in a different era flowing into Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora , to the south of Banks Peninsula . To protect Christchurch and other settlements near the river, multiple flood protections have been constructed either side of the river since European settlement, dating as early as
1209-413: The river loud on the loose", and as being an "age-long wanderer, age-wily". Her novel, Ice Cold River (1961), describes the flooding of a family farm at Christmas after the Waimakariri River bursts through a stopbank: The water advanced so slowly and quietly that it seemed no more than the tide making in an estuary backwater.... [Q]uite suddenly, the lake of water seemed to lift itself, hurled itself over
Waimakariri Gorge - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-570: The river. Kiwirail records this bridge as number 17 on its bridge asset list. As one of the largest rivers on the Canterbury plains, the Waimakariri is an important habitat for wildlife, including many endangered species of plants and animals. The dry sections of riverbed are home to black-fronted terns , where braids in the river provide a natural barrier to predators. The river and its tributaries are home to native species, including crayfish / kōura , New Zealand longfin eel , short-finned eel , lamprey and many species of invertebrates. The river
1287-411: The sediment which forms the bay and its coastal plain. Download coordinates as: Due to the size of the river, only a limited number of bridges cross the Waimakariri. From upstream to downstream, the current bridges are: 42°55′06″S 171°29′14″E / 42.91821°S 171.48729°E / -42.91821; 171.48729 ( Waimakariri Falls ) This simple suspension bridge
1326-657: The state highway bridges is the Main North Road bridge, often referred to as the Old Waimakariri Bridge. This two-lane traffic bridge does not cater for walking or cycling. 43°24′47″S 172°39′05″E / 43.41293°S 172.65151°E / -43.41293; 172.65151 ( Main North Line bridge #17 ) Immediately downstream from the Main North Road bridge, the Main North Line crosses
1365-446: The traditional Māori name. The Waimakariri is colloquially referred to as the 'Waimak', a shortening of the Māori name. The source of the Waimakariri is located in the Southern Alps, at the head of a valley to the west of Arthur's Pass , where it is primarily fed by snow melt and glacial runoff. The river flows in a southerly direction, before turning east around the base of Mount Stewart. The river at this stage becomes braided , and
1404-417: The vicinity of the river. The wastes were discharged directly into it but as of 2012 it was piped to the municipal sewage treatment plant . There had been some non-compliance issues with the resource consents for water discharge. The Waimakiriri River is described in several works by author Ruth France . Her poem "After Flood", published under the pseudonym "Paul Henderson", describes "the alive / Roar of
1443-454: The years, with some of these including Little Stint , Long-Toed Stint , Stilt Sandpiper , and most notably Cox's Sandpiper . Australian Terns are also rare visitors to the lake. The lake is a dynamic feature, it has been up to twice its present depth and area in the past, and it has progressed through various stages as it has developed into the brackish bar-type lagoon that we see today. In chronological order these stages began with
1482-410: Was a famed mahinga manu wai māori (place for taking waterfowl). However, today the richness of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora as a mahinga kai has been largely lost to farmland. While it remains a mahinga kai , its yields have been significantly reduced due to the periodic drainage of the lake in order to maintain reclaimed land and pasture. In the pre-Pākehā past however, the control of the lake's level
1521-484: Was retained at an optimum water level for the birdlife that lived there and provided kai (food) for many people. The lake was only drained when its level exceeded the normal maximum. Kōrari ( flax stalks) were dragged across the sand to make the initial opening of the water to the sea. Such carefully monitored drainage of the lake took place for several hundred years, consistently maintaining Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora's abundant supply of kai . In 2007 an assessment of
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