The Taylor River is one of the two rivers that flow across the Wairau Plain into Blenheim, New Zealand, where it joins the Ōpaoa River. It arises near Taylor Pass to the south of the Wither Hills and flows north-east and north.[1] The river and pass were named for Joseph Taylor, a New Zealand Company surveyor who worked in the area from 1842.[2]
| Taylor River | |
|---|---|
 The Taylor River in central Blenheim | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Taylor Pass |
| Mouth | |
• location | Ōpaoa River |
| Length | 18 km (11 mi) |
At the time Blenheim was settled and for some years thereafter, floods were frequent occurrences in winter at the confluence of the two rivers and occasioned the nickname "Beavertown" for Blenheim because of the fancied resemblance to beaver lodges of buildings in the town when surrounded by floodwaters. The town mascot is a beaver in spite of the fact that none have ever existed in New Zealand, as they are a prohibited animal.
See also
editReferences
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- ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. Map 61. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ^ Discover New Zealand:A Wises Guide (9th ed.). 1994. p. 344.
"Place name detail: Taylor River, New Zealand". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
41°37′27″S 173°57′01″E / 41.6242°S 173.9503°E