A Romance of Lake Wakatipu
Note 13.—The Kawarau River
Note 13.—The Kawarau River.
The Kawarau is the issue of the Wakatipu Lake. Its exit is obstructed by masses of rock that divide its volume into several parts, that take the form of falls when the lake is high. For the first mile or two of its course the current is sufficiently slow to admit of cattle swimming easily across; afterwards it becomes more rapid. At the distance of nearly three miles from the lake it is joined by a river named the Shotover, and at a further distance of six miles by the Arrow. Lower down it enters an abrupt rocky gorge, through which it has a tortuous course of eighteen miles before entering the valley of the Clutha. After a' further course of five miles through, the Kawarau joins the Clutha just before the latter enters the gorge of the Dunstan Mountains. For further information see Notes 15 and 16.