| Whakapapa River | |
| Pushpin Map: | New Zealand |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 270px |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Ruapehu |
| Length: | 40km (30miles) |
| Source1: | Mount Ruapehu |
| Source1 Location: | Whakapapa skifield (Whakapapaiti Stream) |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -39.2611°N 175.5639°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1930m (6,330feet) |
| Mouth: | Whanganui River |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -38.93°N 175.4078°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 255m (837feet) |
| Progression: | Whakapapanui Stream → Whakapapa River → Whanganui River |
| River System: | Whanganui River |
| Waterfalls: | Tawhai Falls |
| Source2 Elevation: | 740m (2,430feet) |
| Source2: | Confluence of Whakapapaiti & Whakapapanui Streams |
The Whakapapa River in New Zealand forms from streams which trickle off the Whakapapa skifield of Mount Ruapehu and down the western slopes of the mountain. The river passes near Ōwhango, before finally merging with the Whanganui River just east of Kakahi, about 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on from where it starts, which is in a 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on deep gorge, at the confluence of the Whakapapaiti and Whakapapanui Streams.[1]
Before construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway began in about 1904,[2] most of the valley was a dense podocarp forest.[3] In 1914 logging of the last sizeable west bank section of that bush began, near Oio.[4]
Peter McIntyre had a home near Kakahi overlooking the confluence of the Whanganui and Whakapapa rivers, and painted several oil landscapes of the Whakapapa River. After his death, the Whakapapa River undermined the white pumice cliffs where his house was built and claimed the house as its own.
Occasionally people kayak a 7.5km (04.7miles) stretch of the river from near Ōwhango (-38.9967°N 198.92°W) to near Kakahi (-38.9402°N 199.5°W). When the river was high enough, kayaks went 23abbr=onNaNabbr=on from the Whakapapa Intake to Ōwhango bridge. However, Intake Road was closed when a Landcorp farm passed to Te Kotahitanga a Ngāti Tūwharetoa on 1 July 2019. Herenga ā Nuku and Fish and Game have since been negotiating for public access.[5] [6] [7] [8]
Eels and Crans bullies live in the river.[9] Trout were put in the river around 1911[10] and Fish & Game now describe it as very clear and having one of the finest trout fisheries, with rainbow and brown trout.
However, the upper reaches were diverted from the Whakapapa Intake, via tunnels (about 11adj=onNaNadj=on and 5.5adj=onNaNadj=on long and over 3adj=onNaNadj=on in diameter),[11] Te Whaiau Stream and Lake Otamangakau reservoir to Lake Rotoaira, as part of the Tongariro Power Scheme, built between 1964 and 1971. Since then the water has been warmer, as about 80% of the river's headwaters now flow into the Waikato catchment. It has also increased the proportion of water coming from developed land.[12] The river is among the worst 25% of rivers for dissolved reactive phosphorus pollution.[13] The Intake was also repaired in 2009.[14]
| Tributary Name | Length (km) | km From Mouth | Confluence Coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Ruapehu | River Source | -39.2611°N 175.5639°W | ||
| Tepure Stream | -39.059°N 198.78°W | |||
| Whanganui River | River Mouth | 0 km | -38.93°N 175.4078°W |