The Ahuriri River is a river in the Canterbury and Otago Regions of the South Island of New Zealand.

Ahuriri River
The Ahuriri River near Omarama
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Location of the Ahuriri River
EtymologyFrom te reo Māori, unclear etymology
Location
Country New Zealand
RegionCanterbury
DistrictMackenzie Country
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Huxley
 • locationSouthern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
 • coordinates44°05′01″S 169°40′41″E / 44.0835°S 169.678°E / -44.0835; 169.678
 • elevation1,600 metres (5,200 ft)
MouthAhuriri Arm, Lake Benmore
 • location
Mackenzie Basin
 • coordinates
44°30′32″S 170°03′14″E / 44.509°S 170.054°E / -44.509; 170.054 -->
 • elevation
370 metres (1,210 ft)
Length70 kilometres (43 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionLake Benmore→Lake AviemoreLake WaitakiWaitaki RiverPacific Ocean
River systemWaitaki River system
Tributaries 
 • leftCanyon Creek, Avon Burn, Longslip Creek, Omarama Stream
 • rightHodgkinson Creek, Snowy Gorge Creek, Ahuriri River East Branch, Quail Burn
BridgesAhuriri Bridge (State Highway 8

The headwaters are on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps. The river flows for 70 kilometres (43 mi) through the southernmost part of the Mackenzie Basin before reaching the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore, one of the lakes in the Waitaki hydroelectric project. From there, the waters join with those of the Waitaki, which has its outflow in the Pacific Ocean.

Much of the upper portion of the river is in the Ahuriri Conservation Park,[1] and it is a well-regarded fly fishing river, supporting both brown and rainbow trout.[2][3]

A notable rock formation, the Omarama or Ahuriri River Clay Cliffs, is located close to the river's north bank some 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the township of Omarama. Omarama is the main settlement close to the river.

See also

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References

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