Karamea River
The Karamea River is located in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand. The river rises within Kahurangi National Park in the Matiri Range of the Southern Alps. The river rises to the east of Mount Allen, meandering west briefly before turning north. After some 25 km (16 mi) it again turns west, to enter a series of small lakes where its waters are joined by those of the Roaring Lion River. From here the river continues west through steep-sided valleys before leaving the national park and reaching its floodplain 10 km (6.2 mi) from the coast of the Tasman Sea. The river passes the small settlements of Umere and Arapito before reaching the Ōtūmahana Estuary and the Tasman Sea close to the township of Karamea.
| Karamea River | |
|---|---|
Route of the Karamea River | |
Mouth of the Karamea River Karamea River (South Island) | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Biggs Tops |
| • coordinates | 41.4117°S 172.4039°E |
| • elevation | 1,384 metres (4,541 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Ōtūmahana Estuary |
• coordinates | 41°15′18″S 172°06′30″E |
• elevation | 0 metres (0 ft) |
| Length | 73 kilometres (45 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,210 km2 (470 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Karamea River → Ōtūmahana Estuary → Karamea Bight → Tasman Sea |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Waters Creek, Taipō River, Kendall Creek, Orbit Creek, Apollo Creek, Mars Creek, Thor Creek, Atlas Creek, Mercury Creek, Venus Creek, Jupiter Creek, Saturn Creek, Silvermine Creek, Questa Creek, Pyramid Creek, Kākāpō River, Kelly Creek, Office Creek, Elford Creek, Jordan Creek, Gillbank Creek, |
| • right | Lost Valley Creek, Meteor Creek, Lunik Creek, Star Creek, Comet Creek, Satellite Creek, Apogee Creek, Perigee Creek, Sputnik Creek, Crow River, Slippery Creek, Leslie River, Roaring Lion River, False Creek, Ferris Creek, Ugly River, Fuchsia Creek, Greys Creek, Little Grey Creek, Virgin Creek, Coopers Creek |
| Waterfalls | Saxon Falls |
| Bridges | Karamea Bridge |
The river has a catchment area, including its tributaries, of 1,210 km2 (470 sq mi), representing around 23% of the entire area of Kahurangi National Park.