Turakina River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Turakina River | |
|---|---|
 Turakina River. looking south west from SH3 bridge, after 13 Dec 2021 flood | |
 | |
| Etymology | Māori meaning "tree felled across a river for a bridge" |
| Native name | Turakina (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Settlements | Papanui Junction, Turakina, Koitiata |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | 5 km (3.1 mi) south west of Waiouru |
| • coordinates | 39°31′0″S 175°37′57″E / 39.51667°S 175.63250°E |
| • elevation | 900 metres (3,000 ft) |
| Mouth | Tasman Sea |
• location | Koitiata |
• coordinates | 40°03′58″S 175°07′35″E / 40.06611°S 175.12639°E |
• elevation | Sea level |
| Length | 137 kilometres (85 mi) |
| Basin size | 962 square kilometres (371 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 12,528 cubic metres (442,400 cu ft)/day |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Turakina River |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Mangapapa River |
The Turakina River is a river of the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It flows generally southwestward from its source south of Waiouru,[1] roughly paralleling the larger Whangaehu River, and reaches the Tasman Sea 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Whanganui.[2]
The river flows near Papanui Junction and Turakina. Pā sites existed at Te Maire, Pukemata, Toakaituna, and Maipaua.[3] Donald McLean arranged signing of the Rangitīkei–Turakina deed with some of the owners on 15 May 1849,[4] when The Crown claimed the Rangitīkei Block.[5] Scottish settlers arrived from the late 1860s.[6]
Floods on the Turakina are frequent, including 1897,[7] 1920,[8] 1939,[9] 1940,[10] 2013,[11] 2015,[12] 2017[13] and 2021.[14]
Te Araroa long-distance walkway crosses the river at the beach at Koitiata at low tide.[15] The outlet of the river changes frequently, moving up to 4.5 km (3 mi) along the lagoon, which is formed by a sand bar.[16][17][2] In 1997 an outlet was dug to reduce flooding.[18][19]
12% of samples taken at the lagoon in 5 years to 2022 found E. coli levels too high for swimming.[20] 81.1% of land in the catchment is used for animal grazing. Native bush covers only 8.5%.[1]
Redfin bully live in the river.[1]
Turakina Valley Road closely follows the river for 104 km (65 mi) between Tangiwai and Turakina.[21] Much of it is a gravel road.[22]
The river is crossed by SH3 and by the Marton–New Plymouth railway.[2]