Uawa River

Uawa River estuary

The Uawa River, called in mid course Hikuwai River and in the upper course of the source from Waiau River, is a 50 km long river in the Gisborne region on the North Island of New Zealand.

Geography

The river rises as the Waiau River in Waingaromia, about 11 km west of Mount Tutamoe and 4 kilometers north- west of the settlement Tauwhareparae at an altitude between 500 and 600 m, then first flows in an easterly direction and then continue in a semicircle in a northeasterly direction to the small Place Hikuwai. From here the river Hikuwai River is called and moves meandering manner towards the south to near the settlement Mangatuna and is named from the river mouth of the Mangatokerau River in the Hikuwai River from then Uawa River, to the confluence with the Pacific Ocean in the Tolaga Bay. The estuary is about 54 km north-east of Gisborne.

The different wording of the river lies in the identity of Māori for which the river next to the place where they lived was very important. Often, the village, the area and the river the same name (see Example Uawa, Uawa River, Hikuwai and Hikuwai River).

Flooding

The section of the Hikuwai River and Uawa Rivers there are at extremely heavy rains always the threat of flooding. The Hikuwai can then rise of 1.5 m normal water level to 10-12 m height. The previously documented highest level of 14.37 m was caused by Cyclone Bola on March 7, 1988. Starting at 11 m occurs a gradual evacuation plan in place.

Swell

  • Jürgen comp: Mangatuna Road Flooding Issues, Gisborne District Council, December 2009.
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