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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 75

Rivers and Lakes

Rivers and Lakes.

The largest rivers are the Clutha, Taieri, and Waitaki: the first-named drains Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, and Hawea; the last, Lakes Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekape, in the Canterbury District. Te Anau, the largest lake in the Middle Island, lies page 72 partly in the Otago and partly in the Southland District. The dimensions of these lakes are as follows:—
Lakes. Length in Miles. General Breadth in Miles. Area in Square Miles. Height above Sea-level in Feet.
Te Anau 38 1 to 6 332 694
Wakatipu 50 1 to 3½ 114 1,069
Wanaka 29 1 to 3 75 928
Hawea 19 3 48 1,062
Ohau 11 1 to 3 23 1,720
Pukaki 11 2½ to 5 31 1,588
Tekapo 15 1 to 3½ 32½ 2,325

These lakes are situated in mountainous country; they are of glacial origin and all very deep.

The Clutha River is the largest in New Zealand, and is estimated to discharge over 1,000,000 cubic feet per minute. It has a rapid current, but is navigable for small steamers for a distance of forty miles from its mouth. The Waitaki is not a navigable river. For some seventeen miles from its mouth the Taieri River is affected by tides, which run up one branch into Waihola Lake, and up the other branch as far as Greytown.

There is a small steamer on Waihola Lake, and another on the Taieri River at Henley. During the summer season both run excursion trips to the mouth of the river when required, The distance in each case is about eight miles.