Makotuku River
Makotuku River at Raetihi
EtymologyMaori meaning "white heron stream"
Native nameMākōtuku (Māori)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictRuapehu District
SettlementsHoropito, Raetihi
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Ruapehu
 • locationSunset Ridge, Tūroa skifield
 • coordinates39°18′7″S 175°31′44″E / 39.30194°S 175.52889°E / -39.30194; 175.52889
 • elevation1,700 metres (5,600 ft)
MouthMangawhero River
 • coordinates
39°28′8″S 175°18′4″E / 39.46889°S 175.30111°E / -39.46889; 175.30111
 • elevation
455 metres (1,493 ft)
Length40 km (25 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionMakotuku River → Mangawhero River → Whangaehu River
River systemWhangaehu River

The Makotuku River is a river of the west of New Zealand's North Island. It flows southwest from Tūroa ski field, on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, and passes through the town of Raetihi before its confluence with the Mangawhero River. It has been affected by several lahars over the last 160,000 years.[1]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "white heron stream" for Mākōtuku.[2]

Water quality

The long term e. coli rating for the river at Raetihi is poor.[3]

Water supply

Raetihi's drinking water comes from the river. In 2018 Veolia added activated carbon dosing, coagulation, flocculation, a lamella settler, filters and UV disinfection to the previous two settling ponds and chlorination, to minimise the effect of future pollution events.[4]

Oil spills

In December 1979 17,000 litres (3,700 imp gal; 4,500 US gal) of heating oil (diesel and kerosene) and, in September 2013, 19,000 L (4,200 imp gal; 5,000 US gal) of diesel spilt into the river at the Turoa ski field,[5] 27 km (17 mi) upstream. The 2013 leak required Raetihi to have 21 days of water supply from road tankers.[4] The leaks had impacts on mayflies, lichens, mosses, fish and whio.[5][6] Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd was fined $300,000 for the 2013 spill.[7]

Hydro electricity

The 60kW[8] Raetihi hydro-electric scheme produces about 1.75 GWh (6.3 TJ) a year and was built in 1918, about 6 km (3.7 mi) north of Raetihi. Its water comes from the Makotuku River, Makara Stream, Makaraiti Stream and a tributary of Mangaone Stream. It has a head of 116 m (381 ft) from its headpond to its generator, near the Orautoha Stream.[9] The original generator remains in use.[10]

Makotuku River Walkway

Makotuku River, walkway and Raetihi-Ohakune road bridge

The 1.2 km (0.75 mi) Makotuku River Walkway was upgraded in 2021, with loop tracks on the east side of Raetihi.[11] Much of the funding for the work came from the compensation paid after the 2013 oil spill.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jerome A. Lecointre , Vincent E. Neall & Alan S. Palmer (1998). "Quaternary lahar stratigraphy of the western Ruapehu ring plain". doi:10.1080/00288306.1998.9514807. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ↑ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  3. ↑ "Makotuku River". Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 S. Chung, C. Wang and N. de Haan (Veolia), A.M. Westcott (Ruapehu DC). "RAETIHI WTP UPGRADE".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 "Application for a Licence to operate the Turoa Ski Area" (PDF). DoC. 21 December 2015.
  6. ↑ FRANCES B . MICHAELIS (1983). "Effect of Turoa oil spill on aquatic insects in the Mangawhero river system". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.580.5223.
  7. ↑ "$300,000 fine for Raetihi oil spill". RNZ. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. BY THE HON. SIR WILLIAM FRASER. APPENDIX TO THE JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1919". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "appeal from the decision of the Environment Court on the New Zealand Energy Limited applications for consents relating to the ongoing operation of the Raetihi Hydro Electric Power Scheme" (PDF). 7 December 2016.
  10. ↑ "NZ Energy, Proposed Matiri Project New Zealand". www.nzenergy.co.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Makotuku River Walkway". 18 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Fine money left over from diesel spill funds community projects". Stuff. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

"Place name detail: Makotuku River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.


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