Clutha River: Difference between revisions

Clutha River
Mata-Au, Molyneux
Clutha River; Mata-Au, Molyneux
	Upper Clutha Valley, looking upriver toward the Southern Alps
	Clutha River basin (Interactive map)
Etymology	Mata-au: current in the water. Clutha: from Cluaidh, the Scots Gaelic name for the River Clyde
Native name	Mata-Au (Māori)
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago
Settlements	Wānaka, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Balclutha
Physical characteristics
Source	Mount Brewster
• location	Southern Alps
• elevation	1,540 metres (5,050 ft)
Mouth	Pacific Ocean
• coordinates	46°21′S 169°48′E / 46.350°S 169.800°E
• elevation	Sea level
Length	338 km (210 mi)
Basin size	c. 21,000 km2 (8,100 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	614 m3/s (21,700 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Makarora River → Lake Wānaka → Clutha River → Pacific Ocean
Tributaries
• left	Hāwea River, Lindis River, Manuherikia River, Beaumont River, Tuapeka River
• right	Cardrona River, Kawarau River, Pomahaka River, Waiwera River
Waterbodies	Lake Wānaka, Lake Dunstan, Lake Roxburgh
Islands	Inch Clutha

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The Clutha River (Māori: Mata-Au, officially gazetted as Clutha River / Mata-Au) is the second longest river in New Zealand and the longest in the South Island. It flows south-southeast 338 kilometres (210 mi) through Central and South Otago from Lake Wānaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, 75 kilometres (47 mi) south west of Dunedin. Gold is in abundance in the Clutha River and its surrounding areas. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and has a discharging mean flow of 614 cubic metres per second (21,700 cu ft/s).^[1]^[2]

The Clutha River played a prominent role in both the Māori and European history of the area. Rivers and valleys were the main transport system used by local Māori to access the interior of the South Island. The 1860s Otago gold rush resulted in the production of approximately 240 tonnes of gold, which was found in the Clutha catchment.^[3] It has the biggest catchment and outflow in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island is discharged by the Clutha River alone. It has a mean discharge of approximately 500 m³ (18,000 cu ft) and a catchment area of around 22,000 km² (8,500 sq mi) and is an economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two hydropower stations, which provide 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.

The Clutha River drains the high mountains of the Southern Alps in the west and passes through a complex topographic system of basins and ranges towards the east before reaching into the Pacific Ocean. A majority of the topographical features of the Clutha River catchment area are a direct result of the late Cenozoic and active tectonic processes that are occurring in southern South Island due to deformation along the nearby plate boundary, defined by the Alpine Fault.^[3]

The river is known for its scenery, gold-rush history, and swift turquoise waters. A river conservation group, the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, is working to establish a regional river parkway, with a trail, along the entire river corridor.

Toponomy

The Māori name for the Clutha River is the Mata-Au (sometimes shortened to Matau), meaning 'surface current'.^[4]^[5] Early settlers sometimes spelled the Māori name as "Matou" and "Matua-a", and pronounced it "Mattoo".^[6] Māori also referred to the Clutha River as Maranuku.^[7]

The first appearance of a European name for the Clutha River / Mata-Au was the Molyneux River (/mɒlɪnˌəʊ/); its mouth was named by Captain James Cook after his sailing master, Robert Molineux. The name is also applied to the small settlement of Port Molyneux.^[8] Early maps show Moulineux Harbour in its original spelling, but later maps indicate the harbour's name was written as "Molyneux", rather than "Moulineux".^[a]

The river is now commonly known as the Clutha, which comes from Cluaidh, the Scots Gaelic name for the River Clyde in Scotland, which runs through Glasgow.^[11]^[12]

The official name for the river has been Clutha River / Mata-au since the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998,^[13] a landmark Treaty of Waitangi settlement, which added dual names to approximately 90 geographic features throughout the South Island to recognise the "equal and special significance" of both the English and Māori names.^[14]^[15]

History

Māori history

Māori occupation of the Otago Region began in c. 1250–1300. Māori learned to hunt the numerous species of moa and burned many of the inland forests. The first iwi in Otago were Waitaha, then Kāti Māmoe; later came Kāi Tahu.^[16]^[17] By the end of the fourteenth century, the environment in Otago and Southland (Murihuku) had begun to shift, with podocarp woods retreating and the moa population declining. A few Māori settlements in the region started to lose importance, although several settlements still existed in Central Otago.^[18] Several locations along the Clutha River retain the names of Kāti Māmoe chiefs, such as, Taumata-o-Te-Hau, a hill on the north side of the Clutha River, above Balclutha, named after the chief who climbed there and watched for the arrival of a taua for whom he had prepared a trap.^[19] Historically, Kāi Tahu travelled upstream the Clutha River to fish for eels and hunt waterfowl. Kāi Tahu used to travel in to the interior of the South Island almost every year and had campsites and burial sites along the Clutha River and its nearby lakes.^[20]

The mouth of Mata-au was heavily populated, with many permanent and temporary Kāi Tahu settlements throughout the lower stretches of the river. Murikauhaka, a settlement near the mouth of the Mata-au, was at one stage home to an estimated two hundred people.^[21]^[22] Māori trading groups used the Cromwell Gorge as the main thoroughfare to their pounamu and moa-hunting expeditions to the interior of Otago.^[23]

Many early Māori archaeological sites have been found in the Cromwell Gorge, featuring moa eggshell fragments. Unlike other Central Otago sites, no burned bones have been found.^[24]

European history

During early European settlement in the South Island, a whaling station was established close to the Clutha River's mouth at Port Molyneux, and during this period the sea was the source of almost all of the area's economy. The town of Port Molyneux, located on this bay, was a busy harbour during the 19th century. Its location at the mouth of the Clutha made it a good site for trade, both from the interior and for coastal and ocean-going shipping. A major flood in 1878 shifted the mouth of the Clutha to the north and silted up the port, after which the town gradually dwindled.^[25]

The first European to visit the Upper Clutha area and to see the inland lakes of Wakatipu, Wānaka and Hāwea was Nathanael Chalmers, who was guided by Chiefs Reko and Kaikōura in 1853.^[26]^[27]^[28] They returned him down the river on a mōkihi, a flax reed open kayak,^[29] that they built from flax stems and raupō from the shores of Lake Hāwea.^[30]^[31] In 1910, 57 years after the event, Nathanael Chalmers remembered his boat trip through the Cromwell Gorge: "I shall never forget the "race" through the gorge ... my heart was literally in my mouth, but those two old men seemed to care nothing for the current."^[32]

European "sheepmen" arrived later in the late 1850s, searching for grazing grounds in Otago's interior.^[23] Alexander and Watson Shennan set off from Milton (known previously as Tokomairiro) in December 1857 to Central Otago, looking for land to raise sheep. The brothers proceeded farther than the runholders who had previously acquired territory up to the Waitāhuna River. When they returned to Dunedin after spending several days exploring the Manuherikia Valley, they submitted an application to the Otago Provincial Government to lease two blocks of land on either side of the Manuherikia River. The total land area was 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares). They brought sheep to the district in 1858. Watson Shennan described the area as "well grassed and watered, a very land of promise" which attracted others to the region.^[33]^[34]

In 1862, gold-rich bars of rocks and gravel were discovered by Christopher Reilly and Horatio Hartley during their winter 1862 expedition up Cromwell Gorge through the waters of the Clutha. They arrived in Dunedin on 15 August, 1862, deposited their 100 oz (2,800 g) of gold, and were rewarded with £2,000.^[35]

Gold rush

A gold rush began in Central Otago in the 1860s. With several settlements quickly established along gold-rich rivers such as the Clutha and Kawarau, the rush to Central Otago was the largest in the region's history.^[36] A large number of miners' huts also existed during this era along the Clutha River. Roxburgh Gorge had a majority of the huts of this type, but they also occurred in Cromwell Gorge. A 1980 archaeological survey in the Roxburgh Gorge indicated a number of 32 huts and 79 rock shelters present in the area.^[37]

Around 100 dredges have operated at various times during the area's history in the river bed and nearby gravels, including the present-day gorge to the east of the Old Man Range. The Clutha River and its tributary Kawarau transported alluvial gold across a distance of 200 km (120 mi) in river bed load. A Middle Pleistocene-age ancestral Clutha River delivered detrital gold across the lower parts of what is presently the Manuherikia Valley near Alexandra.^[38]

By Christmas 1861, 14,000 prospectors were on the Tuapeka and Waipori fields. The gold rush was short-lived, with most of the alluvial gold played out by 1863, but prospectors continued to arrive, swelling to a maximum of 18,000 miners in February 1864.^[39]

Mining in the Clutha River upstream from Cromwell became significant after 1900, when the area's potential was gradually recognised. Previously, the Kawarau River and the Clutha River running downstream from Cromwell were the primary focus.^[40] Māori were aware of gold in the Clutha River but they did not value it.^[41]

Geography

The Clutha River is the South Island's largest river and has the largest catchment and outflow in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island is discharged through Clutha River alone. It has a mean discharge of approximately 500 m³ (18,000 cu ft), a catchment area of around 22,000 km² (8,500 sq mi), and a length of about 340 km (210 mi), which makes it one of the longest rivers in New Zealand.^[42]^[43] The major tributaries include the Arrow River, Cardrona River, Lindis River, Manuherikia River, Teviot River, Pomahaka River, and the Waitāhuna River. Towns near the Clutha River include Alexandra, New Zealand, Balclutha, Cromwell, Roxbrugh, and Wānaka.^[4]^[44]

Course

The Clutha River extends about 340 km (210 mi), flowing roughly north to south through the Otago Region. The Clutha River's headwaters are located in the Southern Alps, receiving up to 8,000 mm (310 in) of precipitation annually from the west and north west. The Clutha River and its tributaries receive water from three lakes in Otago, Hāwea, Wakatipu, and Wānaka, along with its minor tributaries Arrow, Beaumont, Lindis, Manuherikia, Nevis, Shotover, Talla Burn, Teviot, and Pomahaka.^[44]^[45] The Clutha River may have taken its current course due to glacial advances in the middle to late-Pleistocene, advances that nearly reached Cromwell.^[46] It is an economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two hydropower stations, which provide 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.^[44]

Catchment

It drains the largest catchment in New Zealand, which is about 22,000 km² (8,500 sq mi) in size, and has an area normalised flow of about 800 mm (31 in). It has an average annual discharge of 530 m³ (19,000 cu ft).^[b] Due to long-standing hydroelectricity commitments and increasing demands for urban water supply and irrigation for horticulture and agriculture, meeting the Clutha Catchment's rapidly expanding water needs will become more challenging in the future. Located at a maximum elevation of approximately 2,800 m (9,200 ft) on the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, the majority of the river's headwater flows originate from the melting of alpine snow cover and rainfall, with glaciers contributing a minor amount.^[47]

In inland basins, annual precipitation totals can be less than 400 mm (16 in), while on the western edge of the catchment, they can surpass 4,000 mm (160 in). The contribution of snowmelt to the annual streamflow of the Clutha River is estimated to be 10% by the time it reaches the Southern Pacific Ocean. This proportion is considerably higher for alpine sub-catchments and large inland basins, rising as high as 30% to 50%. A number of large tributaries originate in Central Otago's semi-arid basins, where yearly precipitation can be as low as 400 mm (16 in), which is an order of magnitude lower than on the Main Divide.^[47]

The mean flow of the Clutha is around 614 cubic metres per second (21,700 cu ft/s),^[1]^[48] comparable to many much larger rivers. This heavy flow, combined with the relatively small size of the river in global terms, makes the Clutha notoriously fast-flowing. It is often listed as one of the world's most swiftly flowing rivers, alongside Australia's Macleay and Fitzroy Rivers, the Amazon and Atrato Rivers in South America, and the Teesta River in the Himalayas. The highest recorded flow on the Clutha was during heavy storms in 1978, peaking at 4,581 cubic metres per second (161,800 cu ft/s).^[49]

Ecology

A 2022 report of the river by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) indicated a result of 12 species of native fish, and 2 species from its tributaries, with the exception of upland bully, common river galaxias and roundhead galaxias. All native species are diadromous, meaning that they are recorded from the tributaries, and giant kōkopu and kōaro likely went through the mainstem while on their way to its tributaries. The Clutha River has a limited collection of native species, though it does provide a through route for the many other diadromous species.^[48] Brown trout are the most encountered fish in the Clutha River, occurring throughout the main river, streams, and nearby lakes.^[50] Rainbow trout also appear in the river but in smaller numbers, and they are more common in the lower section of the river compared to the upper stretches.^[50]

At the minimum, nine species of freshwater-limited Galaxias have been identified in the Clutha River by genetics and morphology.^[3]^[48] A Nationally Critical species of Galaxias called "Clutha flathead species D" occurs in various parts of the catchment.^[51] A 2022 study by Diversity and Distributions revealed that the river is home to a diverse range of Galaxias vulgaris clades; its diversity is likely a reflection of the Clutha River's complex geological processes. The study emphasises the importance of the genome-wide methods to identify species and understand biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems and conservation in the Clutha River.^[52]

Before the construction of Roxburgh Dam, salmon could be found traversing the length of the Clutha River and spawning as far upstream as Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka. The Clutha is the southernmost recognised salmon river; salmon continue to arrive each spring and summer, though numbers have decreased since the construction of Roxburgh Dam. Common bullies, smelt, and perch are also found in the river.^[48]

A 1981 assessment of the river by the Upper Clutha Valley Development with the Ministry of Works and Development emphasised the high-quality waters of the river and very low levels of phytoplankton biomasses present.^[53]

Floods

Several major floods have occurred on the Clutha, most notably the "Hundred year floods" of October 1878 and October 1978. During the October 1878 flood, snow from the Southern Alps began to melt and the river started to rise. Central Otago experienced widespread flooding and farm buildings were submerged to their rooftops while rivers filled with dead horses and sheep, timber from farms and mine workings, and trees with a diameter of 1 m (3 ft 3 in). A bridge in Clyde collapsed on 29 September, and its wreckage floated down to Roxburgh, where it struck a bridge there. The bridges at Bannockburn, Beaumont and Roxbrugh were swept away. As a result, this caused significant damage downstream.^[54] Over 21,000 livestock were lost when waters flooded over 12,000 h (43,000 ks).^[55] The Balclutha Bridge collapsed on 13 October.^[54]

The 1978 flood breached the banks of rivers from the Ōreti in the south to the Tokomairaro. Over 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of land was inundated, with the loss of over 21,000 livestock. Towns and areas affected stretched from Makarora in the north to Invercargill in the south. The town of Wyndham was completely evacuated, and the towns of Balclutha, Milton and Mataura were seriously affected with many residents moved. The small settlement of Kelso on the banks of the Pomahaka River was completely abandoned and was not rebuilt once the waters subsided.^[56]^[57] At its peak, on 15 October, the Clutha's flow was measured at just over 4,500 cubic metres per second (160,000 cu ft/s).^[58]

A major flood in November 1999 seriously damaged river communities, especially Alexandra.^[59] The flooding in Alexandra was attributed to a rise in the riverbed resulting from silt loading in the Roxburgh reservoir behind the Roxburgh Dam, downriver from the town. The 1999 flood had significantly higher water levels in Alexandra than the 1878 flood,^[60] despite being only 80% of the volume of the latter.

Dams

There are two hydroelectric power stations on the Clutha River, the 464MW Clyde Dam and the 320MW Roxburgh Dam, which together provide about 22% of the South Island's hydroelectric power supply to the New Zealand power grid.^[61]

The Clutha River's first dam was the Nil Desperandum Dam in the Upper Clutha Valley, existing from 1864–66.^[62] The Roxburgh Dam was the first substantial dam in the South Island. Construction on the dam began in 1949.^[63] Four turbines were installed in 1956–57 and four more in 1960–61.^[64] Its installed capacity is 320MW.^[44]

Construction began on the Clyde Dam in 1982 and was completed in 1993. It was a somewhat controversial project, with opposition and criticism from environmentalists and local residents. Completion of the Clyde Dam took much longer than expected, at a final cost more than 45% higher than the first estimate.^[65]^[66] The Clyde Dam was one of Robert Muldoon's and the Third National Government's "Think Big" projects, an interventionist state economic strategy.^[67]^[68] Several Local Authorities along the Clutha River use it as a source for treatment plants to provide communities with potable water.

Further dam projects have been proposed for the river, but as of 2012, all have been cancelled.^[69]^[70]

Recreation

The Clutha provides irrigation for stone fruit orchards and vineyards around Cromwell, Alexandra, and Roxburgh, which grow apples, apricots, nectarines, cherries, peaches and grapes. There are more vineyards in the upper reaches of the river at Bannockburn, Bendigo, Tarras and Wānaka.

Notes

^ Early maps published by Europeans showed the spelling "Moulineux".^[9] By the 1840s, it was spelled "Molyneux".^[10]
^ Its catchment area size may differ between high-quality sources. Murray 1975 mentions 22,000 km² (8,500 sq mi). However, Redpath, Sirguey & Cullen 2019 mentions 20,800 km² (8,000 sq mi). For now, this article will rely on Murray, 1975.

References

^ ^a ^b NIWA's use of Hydro2de
^ "State of New Zealand's Environment 1997 – Chapter 7: Nature of NZ's water environment [Ministry for the Environment]". Archived from the original on 16 April 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2005.
^ ^a ^b ^c Upton, Phaedra; Walcott, Rachell; Burridge, Chris; Waters, Jonathon (24 September 2012). "Tectonic controls on the evolution of the Clutha River catchment, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 55 (4). New Zealand: 345–359. doi:10.1080/00288306.2012.709184.
^ ^a ^b McLintock, A. H. (1966). "Clutha River". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
^ Reed, A. W. (1975). Place names of New Zealand. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed. ISBN 0-589-00933-8.
^ Kelly, Jan (1999). "Maori Maps". Cartographica. 36 (2). Canada: University of Toronto Press: 1–30. doi:10.3138/W126-QW63-N413-816W. ISSN 0317-7173. ProQuest 89065217.
^ Waite 1940, p. 5-6.
^ Buckingham & Jones 1985, p. 9.
^ Cook, James. 1728–1779 :Map of the coast of the New Zealand discovered in the years 1769 and 1770 (Map). London: 1773 – via National Library of New Zealand.
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^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Taylor, Malcolm; Bardsley, Earl (2019). "A hydrological drought index for the Clutha catchment, New Zealand". Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand). 58 (1). New Zealand Hydrological Society: 47–56. ISSN 0022-1708. JSTOR 26832290. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
^ "Clutha River / Mata-Au, Otago". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
^ Stephens, S; MacKenzie, D; Barth, N; Craw, D (3 July 2015). "Links between orogenic and placer gold on the Old Man Range, Central Otago, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 58 (3). Informa UK Limited: 296–312. doi:10.1080/00288306.2015.1070181. ISSN 0028-8306.
^ ^a ^b Redpath, Todd A. N.; Sirguey, Pascal; Cullen, Nicolas J. (2 August 2019). "Characterising spatio-temporal variability in seasonal snow cover at a regional scale from MODIS data: the Clutha Catchment, New Zealand". Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 23 (8). Copernicus GmbH: 3189–3217. doi:10.5194/hess-23-3189-2019. ISSN 1607-7938.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Kuczynski, Anika; Griffiths, James; Jellyman, Don (6 July 2022). Hydrology, water quality and ecology of the lower Clutha (Report). Christchurch, New Zealand: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
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^ ^a ^b Whiting, R. (1 January 1986). Water-based recreation on the lower Clutha River (PDF) (Report). Roxbrugh, New Zealand: Fisheries Research Division N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. ISSN 0111-4794. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
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^ Campbell, Ciaran S. M.; Dutoit, Ludovic; King, Tania M.; Craw, Dave; Burridge, Christopher P.; Wallis, Graham P.; Waters, Jonathan M. (2022). "Genome-wide analysis resolves the radiation of New Zealand's freshwater Galaxias vulgaris complex and reveals a candidate species obscured by mitochondrial capture". Diversity and Distributions. 28 (10). Wiley: 2255–2267. doi:10.1111/ddi.13629. ISSN 1366-9516. JSTOR 48687116.
^ B. J., Biggs; T. T., Malthus (1 February 1981). An assessment of the possible effects on the proposed Luggate and Queensberry Hydro-electric impoundments on the water quality of the Upper Clutha River (Report) (2 ed.). Clutha Valley Development Environmental Impact Report. p. 10.
^ ^a ^b Brenstrum, Erick (2014). "The River Wild". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
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^ Lloyd, K. (1978) Flood disaster 1978. Dunedin.
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^ Kilby, Chris (February 2001). "Alexandra: A Practical Solution for Managing Flood Risk" (PDF). p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
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^ Carpenter, Lloyd (2013). "The Clutha's First Dam: The Nil Desperandum Project at Quartz Reef Point, 1864–66". The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology. 83 (2). Informa UK Limited: 253–273. doi:10.1179/1758120613z.00000000028. ISSN 1758-1206.
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^ Poyck, Suzanne; Handrikx, Jordy; McMilan, Hilary; Hreinsson, Einar Örn; Woods, Ross (2011). "Combined snow- and streamflow modelling to estimate impacts of climate change on water resources in the Clutha River, New Zealand". Journal of Hydrology. 50 (2). Wellington, New Zealand: 293–311 – via ProQuest.

Works cited

Buckingham, R.; Jones, John-Hall (1985). The Catlins. ISBN 0477057586.
Waite, Fred (1940). Port Molyneux: The Story of Maori and Pakeha in South Otago – a Centennial history. Clutha County Council – via New Zealand Electronic Text Collection.
Taylor, W.A (1952). Lore and history of the South Island Māori. Christchurch, New Zealand. ISBN 9781927207024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Beattie, J.H. (1945). Maori Lore of Lake, Alp and Fiord. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Company Ltd.
Temple, Phillip (1985). New Zealand Explorers: Great Journeys of Discovery. Christchurch, New Zealand: Whitcoulls. ISBN 9780723307433.
Olssen, Erik (1984). A History of Otago. Dunedin, New Zealand: J. McIndoe Ltd. ISBN 9780868680583.'
Laytham, Pamela (1995). The Cromwell Gorge An Historical Guide. Cromwell, New Zealand: Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group and Rogan McIndoe Print Ltd.
Joyce, Lousie (2012). Gold Rush Central Otago 1862. Clyde, New Zealand: Promote Dunstan Inc. ISBN 978-0473201715.

External links

Media related to Clutha River / Mata-Au at Wikimedia Commons

[11] Early maps published by Europeans showed the spelling "Moulineux".^[9] By the 1840s, it was spelled "Molyneux".^[10]

[48] Its catchment area size may differ between high-quality sources. Murray 1975 mentions 22,000 km² (8,500 sq mi). However, Redpath, Sirguey & Cullen 2019 mentions 20,800 km² (8,000 sq mi). For now, this article will rely on Murray, 1975.

[flow2-1] NIWA's use of Hydro2de

[2] "State of New Zealand's Environment 1997 – Chapter 7: Nature of NZ's water environment [Ministry for the Environment]". Archived from the original on 16 April 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2005.

[J-3] Upton, Phaedra; Walcott, Rachell; Burridge, Chris; Waters, Jonathon (24 September 2012). "Tectonic controls on the evolution of the Clutha River catchment, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 55 (4). New Zealand: 345–359. doi:10.1080/00288306.2012.709184.

[E-4] McLintock, A. H. (1966). "Clutha River". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

[5] Reed, A. W. (1975). Place names of New Zealand. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed. ISBN 0-589-00933-8.

[6] Kelly, Jan (1999). "Maori Maps". Cartographica. 36 (2). Canada: University of Toronto Press: 1–30. doi:10.3138/W126-QW63-N413-816W. ISSN 0317-7173. ProQuest 89065217.

[FOOTNOTEWaite19405-6-7] Waite 1940, p. 5-6.

[FOOTNOTEBuckinghamJones19859-8] Buckingham & Jones 1985, p. 9.

[9] Cook, James. 1728–1779 :Map of the coast of the New Zealand discovered in the years 1769 and 1770 (Map). London: 1773 – via National Library of New Zealand.

[10] Arrowsmith, John. Map of the Colony of New Zealand (Map). London: 1844.

[12] Otago Witness, 20.3.1923

[13] "New Zealand Spectator, And Cook's Strait Guardian". New Zealand Spectator. Vol. 2, no. 108. 8 August 1864. Retrieved 23 October 2024 – via Papers Past.

[linz-14] "Place name detail: Clutha / Mata-au". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 1 November 2024.

[15] "Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998".

[16] "Find Māori place names, dual names and alternative names". Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). Retrieved 4 April 2021.

[17] McKinnon, Malcolm (8 May 2009). "Otago Region". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2024.

[18] McGlone, M. S; Mark, A. F.; Bell, D. (1995). "Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation history, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 25 (1). Informa UK Limited: 1–22. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9517480. ISSN 0303-6758.

[FOOTNOTEOlssen19842-19] Olssen 1984, p. 2.

[20] Beattie, H. (1922). "Traditions and Legends Collected from the Natives of Murihuku (Southland, New Zealand)". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 31 (3): 134–144. JSTOR 20701884.

[21] Weir, James (30 October 2002). "River 'bribe' alleged". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ISSN 0113-9762. ProQuest 314474336.

[FOOTNOTEWaite194050-22] Waite 1940, p. 50.

[nront-23] "Mata-au". Kā Huru Manu. Nga Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 10 October 2021.

[FOOTNOTELaytham19952-24] Laytham 1995, p. 2.

[25] Ritchie, Nevill A. (1982). "The prehistoric role of the Cromwell Gorge, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Archaeology. 4: 21–43. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

[FOOTNOTEWaite194064-69Joyce201211-26] Waite 1940, p. 64-69; Joyce 2012, p. 11.

[27] Jock Phillips. "European exploration – Otago and Southland". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

[28] Frazer, Roger. "Chalmers, Nathanael". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

[DoC-29] Janet Stephenson; Heather Bauchop; Peter Petchey (2004). Bannockburn Heritage Landscape Study (PDF). p. 29.

[30] Barclay-Kerr, Hoturoa (2006). "Waka – canoes – Other types of waka". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 1 November 2024.

[FOOTNOTETemple1985108–110-31] Temple 1985, pp. 108–110.

[32] Grant, Michelle (26 December 2003). "Students set to retrace journey of early". The Southland Times. Invercargill, New Zealand. ISSN 0112-9910. ProQuest 330779331.

[FOOTNOTETemple1985110-33] Temple 1985, p. 110.

[FOOTNOTEJoyce20128–9-34] Joyce 2012, pp. 8–9.

[35] "Take five: Milton". Otago Daily Times. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2024.

[FOOTNOTEOlssen198458-36] Olssen 1984, p. 58.

[FOOTNOTEOlssen198459-37] Olssen 1984, p. 59.

[38] Henderson, Simon (27 December 2019). "Clutha reveals mining huts of past". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 24 October 2024.

[39] Craw, D.; Craw, L.; Burridge, C. P.; Wallis, G. P.; Waters, J. M. (2016). "Evolution of the Taieri River catchment, East Otago, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 59 (2): 257–273. doi:10.1080/00288306.2015.1126621.

[40] McKinnon, M. (ed.), Bradley, B. & Kirkpatrick, R. (1997). New Zealand Historical Atlas: Ko Papatuanuku e Takoto Nei. Auckland: David Bateman Ltd. ISBN 1-86953-335-6.

[41] Barnett, Ross (2022). "Uncertain enterprises: the experience of two gold dredging companies on the Clutha River above Cromwell, New Zealand". Journal of Australasian Mining History. 20: 50–72. ASBS12262.

[FOOTNOTEJoyce20126-42] Joyce 2012, p. 6.

[43] Murray, D. L. (1975). "Regional Hydrology of the Clutha River". Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand). 14 (2): 83–98. JSTOR 43944345. Retrieved 24 October 2024.

[44] Calvert, R. J. (1975). "History and Background of the Clutha River". Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand). 14 (2). New Zealand Hydrological Society: 76–82. ISSN 0022-1708. JSTOR 43944344. Retrieved 27 October 2024.

[X-45] Taylor, Malcolm; Bardsley, Earl (2019). "A hydrological drought index for the Clutha catchment, New Zealand". Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand). 58 (1). New Zealand Hydrological Society: 47–56. ISSN 0022-1708. JSTOR 26832290. Retrieved 26 October 2024.

[46] "Clutha River / Mata-Au, Otago". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 27 October 2024.

[47] Stephens, S; MacKenzie, D; Barth, N; Craw, D (3 July 2015). "Links between orogenic and placer gold on the Old Man Range, Central Otago, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 58 (3). Informa UK Limited: 296–312. doi:10.1080/00288306.2015.1070181. ISSN 0028-8306.

[G-49] Redpath, Todd A. N.; Sirguey, Pascal; Cullen, Nicolas J. (2 August 2019). "Characterising spatio-temporal variability in seasonal snow cover at a regional scale from MODIS data: the Clutha Catchment, New Zealand". Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 23 (8). Copernicus GmbH: 3189–3217. doi:10.5194/hess-23-3189-2019. ISSN 1607-7938.

[Q-50] Kuczynski, Anika; Griffiths, James; Jellyman, Don (6 July 2022). Hydrology, water quality and ecology of the lower Clutha (Report). Christchurch, New Zealand: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd. Retrieved 28 October 2024.

[51] "Clutha River at Balclutha – Flow". Otago Regional Council. Retrieved 6 March 2023.

[CR-52] Whiting, R. (1 January 1986). Water-based recreation on the lower Clutha River (PDF) (Report). Roxbrugh, New Zealand: Fisheries Research Division N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. ISSN 0111-4794. Retrieved 29 October 2024.

[53] "Clutha Flathead Galaxias". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 28 October 2024.

[54] Campbell, Ciaran S. M.; Dutoit, Ludovic; King, Tania M.; Craw, Dave; Burridge, Christopher P.; Wallis, Graham P.; Waters, Jonathan M. (2022). "Genome-wide analysis resolves the radiation of New Zealand's freshwater Galaxias vulgaris complex and reveals a candidate species obscured by mitochondrial capture". Diversity and Distributions. 28 (10). Wiley: 2255–2267. doi:10.1111/ddi.13629. ISSN 1366-9516. JSTOR 48687116.

[55] B. J., Biggs; T. T., Malthus (1 February 1981). An assessment of the possible effects on the proposed Luggate and Queensberry Hydro-electric impoundments on the water quality of the Upper Clutha River (Report) (2 ed.). Clutha Valley Development Environmental Impact Report. p. 10.

[AA-56] Brenstrum, Erick (2014). "The River Wild". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 31 October 2024.

[FOOTNOTEJoyce201211–12-57] Joyce 2012, pp. 11–12.

[flood1-58] Lloyd, K. (1978) Flood disaster 1978. Dunedin.

[59] Jowett, I. G. (1979). "Clutha Flood of October 1978". Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand). 18 (2): 121–140. JSTOR 43944452.

[flood2-60] Lind, C.A. (1978) The 100 year flood – 1978. Invercargill: Craig Printing Co.

[FOOTNOTEJoyce201211-61] Joyce 2012, p. 11.

[62] Kilby, Chris (February 2001). "Alexandra: A Practical Solution for Managing Flood Risk" (PDF). p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.

[63] M. Jobst, Andreas; J. Cullen, Nicolas; G Kingston, Daniel (2 December 2022). "The hydroelectric power potential of New Zealand's largest catchment (Clutha River) under 21st century climate change". New Zealand Hydrological Society. 61 (2). Wellington, New Zealand: 113–136.

[64] Carpenter, Lloyd (2013). "The Clutha's First Dam: The Nil Desperandum Project at Quartz Reef Point, 1864–66". The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology. 83 (2). Informa UK Limited: 253–273. doi:10.1179/1758120613z.00000000028. ISSN 1758-1206.

[65] McKinnon, Malcolm (2015). "Otago places – Clutha River / Mata-Au". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[66] Stocks, Carrieann (8 July 2021). "Five-year refurbishment project starts at Roxburgh station, New Zealand". International Water Power & Dam Construction Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[67] Nathan, Simon (10 February 2021). "Geology and the Clyde Dam". Geoscience Society of New Zealand Journal of the Historical Studies Group. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[68] Premachandra, I. M.; Gonzalez, Liliana (1996). "A Simulation Model Solved the Problem of Scheduling Drilling Rigs at Clyde Dam". Interfaces. 26 (2). INFORMS: 80–91. doi:10.1287/inte.26.2.80. ISSN 0092-2102. JSTOR 25062112. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[69] Munro, Bruce (25 May 2020). "Some final thoughts from a 'virtually forgotten' political powerhouse". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[70] Stewart, Stephen (28 May 2022). "Fuelled by crisis: Why Think Big still matters today". Stuff. Retrieved 30 October 2024.

[71] Ibbotson, Lucy (1 May 2012). "Contact pulls plug on dams". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 22 May 2012.

[72] Poyck, Suzanne; Handrikx, Jordy; McMilan, Hilary; Hreinsson, Einar Örn; Woods, Ross (2011). "Combined snow- and streamflow modelling to estimate impacts of climate change on water resources in the Clutha River, New Zealand". Journal of Hydrology. 50 (2). Wellington, New Zealand: 293–311 – via ProQuest.

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@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 | map_size           = 270
 | map_caption        = Clutha River basin ([https://mghydro.com/watersheds/shared/D4C8C5.html Interactive map])
 | map_alt            =
 | pushpin_map        =
 | pushpin_map_size   =
 | pushpin_map_caption=
 | pushpin_map_alt    =
 <!---------------------- LOCATION -->
 | subdivision_type1  = Country
-| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|New Zealand}}
+| subdivision_name1  = [[New Zealand]]
 | subdivision_type2  = Region
-| subdivision_name2  = {{flag|Otago}}
+| subdivision_name2  = [[Otago]]
 | subdivision_type3  = Settlements
 | subdivision_name3  = [[Wānaka]], [[Cromwell, New Zealand|Cromwell]], [[Clyde, New Zealand|Clyde]], [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]], [[Roxburgh, New Zealand|Roxburgh]], [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]]
 | subdivision_type4  =
 | subdivision_name4  =
 | subdivision_type5  =
 | subdivision_name5  =
 <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
 | length             = {{convert|338|km|mi|abbr=on}}
 | width_min          =
 | width_avg          =
 | width_max          =
 | depth_min          =
 | depth_avg          =
 | depth_max          =
 | discharge1_location=
 | discharge1_min     =
 | discharge1_avg     = {{convert|614|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
 | discharge1_max     =
 <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
 | source1            = [[Mount Brewster, New Zealand|Mount Brewster]]
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 | source1_elevation  = {{convert|1540|m}}
 | mouth              = Pacific Ocean
 | mouth_location     =
 | mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|46|21|S|169|48|E|display=inline,title}}
 | mouth_elevation    = [[Sea level]]
 | progression        = [[Makarora River]] → [[Lake Wānaka]] → Clutha River → [[Pacific Ocean]]
 | river_system       =
 | basin_size         = {{circa}} {{convert|21000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
 | basin_landmarks    =
 | basin_population   =
 | tributaries_left   = [[Hāwea River]], [[Lindis River]], [[Manuherikia River]], [[Beaumont River]], [[Tuapeka River]]
 | tributaries_right  = [[Cardrona River]], [[Kawarau River]], [[Pomahaka River]], [[Waiwera River, Otago|Waiwera River]]
 | waterbodies        = [[Lake Wānaka]], [[Lake Dunstan]], [[Lake Roxburgh]]
 | waterfalls         =
 | bridges            =
 | ports              =
 | custom_label       = Islands
 | custom_data        = [[Inch Clutha]]
 | extra              =
 }}
-The '''Clutha River''' ({{Lang-mi|Mata-Au}}, officially gazetted as '''Clutha River / {{Lang|Mi|Mata-Au|italic=no}}''') is the second longest [[river]] in [[New Zealand]] and the longest in the [[South Island]]. It flows south-southeast {{convert|338|km|mi|}} through [[Central Otago|Central]] and [[South Otago]] from [[Lake Wānaka]] in the [[Southern Alps]] to the [[Pacific Ocean]], {{convert|75|km|mi|}} south west of [[Dunedin]]. Gold is in abundance in the Clutha River and its surounding areas. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and a discharging mean flow of {{convert|614|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref name="flow2">[http://www.fluvial.ch/u/niwa_full_text.html NIWA’s use of Hydro2de]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=State of New Zealand's Environment 1997 - Chapter 7: Nature of NZ's water environment &#91;Ministry for the Environment&#93;|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/ser1997/html/chapter7.6.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050416222951/http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/ser1997/html/chapter7.6.html|archive-date=2005-04-16|access-date=2005-05-09}}</ref>
+The '''Clutha River''' ({{Langx|mi|Mata-Au}}, officially gazetted as '''Clutha River / {{Lang|Mi|Mata-Au|italic=no}}''') is the second longest [[river]] in [[New Zealand]] and the longest in the [[South Island]]. It flows south-southeast {{convert|338|km|mi|}} through [[Central Otago|Central]] and [[South Otago]] from [[Lake Wānaka]] in the [[Southern Alps]] to the [[Pacific Ocean]], {{convert|75|km|mi|}} south west of [[Dunedin]]. Gold is in abundance in the Clutha River and its surrounding areas. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and has a discharging mean flow of {{convert|614|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref name="flow2">[http://www.fluvial.ch/u/niwa_full_text.html NIWA's use of Hydro2de]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=State of New Zealand's Environment 1997 – Chapter 7: Nature of NZ's water environment &#91;Ministry for the Environment&#93;|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/ser1997/html/chapter7.6.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050416222951/http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/ser1997/html/chapter7.6.html|archive-date=2005-04-16|access-date=2005-05-09}}</ref>
-The Clutha River played a prominent role in both the [[Māori people|Māori]] and [[European New Zealanders|European]] history of the area. Rivers and valleys were the main transport system used by local Māori to access the interior of the South Island. The 1860s [[Otago gold rush]] resulted in the production of approximately 240 tonnes of gold, which was found in the Clutha [[catchment]].<ref name="J" >{{Cite journal |title=Tectonic controls on the evolution of the Clutha River catchment, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |last=Upton |first=Phaedra |date=2012-09-24 |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2012.709184 |volume=55 |issue=4 |pages=345-359 |last2=Walcott |first2=Rachell |last3=Burridge |first3=Chris |last4=Waters |first4=Jonathon |location=New Zealand |doi=10.1080/00288306.2012.709184 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It has the biggest catchment and [[Discharge (hydrology)|outflow]] in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island discharged by the Clutha River alone. With a mean discharge of approximately {{convert|500|m3|abbr=on}}, a catchment area of around {{convert|22,000|km2|abbr=on}}. An economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two [[hydropower]] stations, which provides 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.
+The Clutha River played a prominent role in both the [[Māori people|Māori]] and [[European New Zealanders|European]] history of the area. Rivers and valleys were the main transport system used by local Māori to access the interior of the South Island. The 1860s [[Otago gold rush]] resulted in the production of approximately 240 tonnes of gold, which was found in the Clutha [[catchment]].<ref name="J" >{{Cite journal |title=Tectonic controls on the evolution of the Clutha River catchment, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |last1=Upton |first1=Phaedra |date=2012-09-24 |volume=55 |issue=4 |pages=345–359 |last2=Walcott |first2=Rachell |last3=Burridge |first3=Chris |last4=Waters |first4=Jonathon |location=New Zealand |doi=10.1080/00288306.2012.709184 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It has the biggest catchment and [[Discharge (hydrology)|outflow]] in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island is discharged by the Clutha River alone. It has a mean discharge of approximately {{convert|500|m3|abbr=on}} and a catchment area of around {{convert|22,000|km2|abbr=on}} and is an economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two [[hydropower]] stations, which provide 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.
 The Clutha River drains the high mountains of the [[Southern Alps]] in the west and passes through a complex topographic system of basins and ranges towards the east before reaching into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. A majority of the topographical features of the Clutha River catchment area are a direct result of the late [[Cenozoic]] and active [[tectonic]] processes that are occurring in southern South Island due to deformation along the nearby plate boundary, defined by the [[Alpine Fault]].<ref name="J" />
-The river is known for its scenery, [[Otago gold rush|gold-rush]] history, and swift turquoise waters. A river conservation group, the [[Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group]], is working to establish a regional river parkway, with a trail, along the entire river corridor.
+The river is known for its scenery, gold-rush history, and swift turquoise waters. A river conservation group, the [[Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group]], is working to establish a regional river parkway, with a trail, along the entire river corridor.
 == Toponomy ==
-The [[Māori language|Māori]] name for the Clutha River is the Mata-Au (sometimes shortened to Matau), meaning 'surface current'.<ref name="E">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Clutha River |encyclopedia=[[An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand]] |last=McLintock |first=A. H. |year=1966 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/clutha-river |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{ReedPlacenames1975}}</ref> However, the first appearance of a European name for the Clutha River / Mata-Au was the '''Molyneux River''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ɒ|l|ɪ|n|ˌ|ə|ʊ}}), its mouth was named Captain [[James Cook]] after his sailing master; Robert Molineux, the name is also applied to the small settlement of [[Port Molyneux]].{{Sfn|Buckingham|Jones|1985|p=9}} Early maps shows Moulineux Harbour in its original spelling, but later maps indicate the harbour was written as "Molyneux", rather than "Moulineux".{{Efn|Early maps published by Europeans showed the spelling "Moulineux".<ref>{{Cite map|title=1728-1779 :Map of the coast of the New Zealand discovered in the years 1769 and 1770|last=Cook |first=James |authorlink=James Cook|publisher=1773|publication-place=London, UK|via=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> By the 1840s, it was spelled "Molyneux".<ref>{{Cite map|title=Map of the Colony of New Zealand|last=Arrowsmith|first=John|authorlink=John Arrowsmith (cartographer)|publisher=1844|publication-place=London, UK}}</ref>}}
+The [[Māori language|Māori]] name for the Clutha River is the Mata-Au (sometimes shortened to Matau), meaning 'surface current'.<ref name="E">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Clutha River |encyclopedia=[[An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand]] |last=McLintock |first=A. H. |year=1966 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/clutha-river |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{ReedPlacenames1975}}</ref> Early settlers sometimes spelled the Māori name as "Matou" and "Matua-a", and pronounced it "Mattoo".<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Maori Maps |journal=[[Cartographica]] |last=Kelly |first=Jan |volume=36 |issue=2 |year=1999 |pages=1–30 |location=Canada |publisher=University of Toronto Press |doi=10.3138/W126-QW63-N413-816W |issn=0317-7173 |id={{ProQuest|89065217}}}}</ref> Māori also referred to the Clutha River as ''Maranuku''.{{Sfn|Waite|1940|p=5-6}}
+The first appearance of a European name for the Clutha River / Mata-Au was the '''Molyneux River''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ɒ|l|ɪ|n|ˌ|ə|ʊ}}); its mouth was named by Captain [[James Cook]] after his sailing master, Robert Molineux. The name is also applied to the small settlement of [[Port Molyneux]].{{Sfn|Buckingham|Jones|1985|p=9}} Early maps show Moulineux Harbour in its original spelling, but later maps indicate the harbour's name was written as "Molyneux", rather than "Moulineux".{{Efn|Early maps published by Europeans showed the spelling "Moulineux".<ref>{{Cite map|title=1728–1779 :Map of the coast of the New Zealand discovered in the years 1769 and 1770|last=Cook |first=James |authorlink=James Cook|publisher=1773|publication-place=London|via=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> By the 1840s, it was spelled "Molyneux".<ref>{{Cite map|title=Map of the Colony of New Zealand|last=Arrowsmith|first=John|authorlink=John Arrowsmith (cartographer)|publisher=1844|publication-place=London}}</ref>}}
-It is now commonly known as Clutha, which comes from ''Cluaidh'', the [[Scots Gaelic]] name for the [[River Clyde]] in [[Scotland]] which runs through [[Glasgow]].<ref>''[[Otago Witness]]'', 20.3.1923</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=New Zealand Spectator, And Cook's Strait Guardian |date=1864-08-08 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZSCSG18460808.2.4 |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=New Zealand Spectator |via=Papers Past |volume=2 |issue=108}}</ref> Māori also referred to the Clutha River as ''Maranuku''.{{Sfn|Waite|1940|p=5-6}}
+The river is now commonly known as the Clutha, which comes from ''Cluaidh'', the [[Scots Gaelic]] name for the [[River Clyde]] in [[Scotland]], which runs through [[Glasgow]].<ref>''[[Otago Witness]]'', 20.3.1923</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=New Zealand Spectator, And Cook's Strait Guardian |date=1864-08-08 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZSCSG18460808.2.4 |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=New Zealand Spectator |via=Papers Past |volume=2 |issue=108}}</ref>
-Since 1998, the official name for the river has been Clutha River / Mata-au the [[Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998]],<ref name="linz">{{LINZ|id=7308 |name=Clutha / Mata-au|access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> a landmark [[Treaty of Waitangi]] [[Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements|settlement]] which added dual names to approximately 90 geographic features throughout the South Island to recognise the "equal and special significance" of both the English and [[Māori language|Māori]] names for the river.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ntcsa19981998n97295}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Find Māori place names, dual names and alternative names|url=https://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/find-place-name/find-m%C4%81ori-place-names-dual-names-and-alternative-names|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)|language=en-NZ}}</ref>
+The official name for the river has been Clutha River / Mata-au since the [[Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998]],<ref name="linz">{{LINZ|id=7308 |name=Clutha / Mata-au|access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref> a landmark [[Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements|Treaty of Waitangi settlement]], which added dual names to approximately 90 geographic features throughout the South Island to recognise the "equal and special significance" of both the English and Māori names.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ntcsa19981998n97295}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Find Māori place names, dual names and alternative names|url=https://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/find-place-name/find-m%C4%81ori-place-names-dual-names-and-alternative-names|access-date=2021-04-04|website=Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)|language=en-NZ}}</ref>
 ==History==
 ===Māori history===
-Māori occupation of the [[Otago]] Region began in {{circa|1250–1300}}. Māori  learned to hunt the numerous species of [[moa]] and considerably burned a lot of the inland forests. The first [[iwi]] in Otago were [[Waitaha (South Island iwi)|Waitaha]], then [[Kāti Māmoe]]; later [[Kāi Tahu]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Otago Region |encyclopedia=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McKinnon |first=Malcolm |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/otago-region |access-date=25 October 2024 |date=8 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=McGlone |first=M. S |last2=Mark |first2=A. F. |last3=Bell |first3=D. |title=Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation history, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand |journal=Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=25 |issue=1 |year=1995 |issn=0303-6758 |doi=10.1080/03014223.1995.9517480 |pages=1–22|doi-access=free}}</ref> By the end of the fourteenth century, the environment in Otago and [[Southland Region|Southland]] (Murihuku) had begun to shift, with [[podocarp]] woods retreating and the moa population declining. A few Māori settlements in the region started to lose importance. Although, several settlements still existed in [[Central Otago]].{{Sfn|Olssen|1984|p=2}} Several locations along the Clutha River retain the names of Kāti Māmoe chiefs. Such as, ''Taumata-o-Te-Hau'', a hill on the north side of the Clutha River, above [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], named after the chief who climbed there and watched for the arrival of a ''[[taua]]'' for whom he had prepared a trap.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Traditons and Legends Collected from the Natives of Murihuku (Southland, New Zealand) |journal=The Journal of the Polynesian Society |last=Beattie |first=H. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20701884 |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=134-144 |via=JSTOR |year=1922}}</ref>
+Māori occupation of the [[Otago]] Region began in {{circa|1250–1300}}. Māori learned to hunt the numerous species of [[moa]] and burned many of the inland forests. The first [[iwi]] in Otago were [[Waitaha (South Island iwi)|Waitaha]], then [[Kāti Māmoe]]; later came [[Kāi Tahu]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Otago Region |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McKinnon |first=Malcolm |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/otago-region |access-date=25 October 2024 |date=8 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=McGlone |first1=M. S |last2=Mark |first2=A. F. |last3=Bell |first3=D. |title=Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation history, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand |journal=Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=25 |issue=1 |year=1995 |issn=0303-6758 |doi=10.1080/03014223.1995.9517480 |pages=1–22|doi-access=free}}</ref> By the end of the fourteenth century, the environment in Otago and [[Southland Region|Southland]] (Murihuku) had begun to shift, with [[podocarp]] woods retreating and the moa population declining. A few Māori settlements in the region started to lose importance, although several settlements still existed in [[Central Otago]].{{Sfn|Olssen|1984|p=2}} Several locations along the Clutha River retain the names of Kāti Māmoe chiefs, such as, ''Taumata-o-Te-Hau'', a hill on the north side of the Clutha River, above [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], named after the chief who climbed there and watched for the arrival of a ''[[taua]]'' for whom he had prepared a trap.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Traditions and Legends Collected from the Natives of Murihuku (Southland, New Zealand) |journal=The Journal of the Polynesian Society |last=Beattie |first=H. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20701884 |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=134–144 |year=1922|jstor=20701884 }}</ref> Historically, Kāi Tahu travelled upstream the Clutha River to fish for [[eel]]s and hunt [[waterfowl]]. Kāi Tahu used to travel in to the interior of the South Island almost every year and had campsites and burial sites along the Clutha River and its nearby lakes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=River 'bribe' alleged |last=Weir |first=James |date=2002-10-30 |work=[[The Press]] |publication-place=Christchurch, New Zealand |issn=0113-9762 |id={{ProQuest|314474336}}}}</ref>
+The mouth of Mata-au was heavily populated, with many permanent and temporary [[Kāi Tahu]] settlements throughout the lower stretches of the river. Murikauhaka, a settlement near the mouth of the Mata-au, was at one stage home to an estimated two hundred people.{{Sfn|Waite|1940|p=50}}<ref name="nront">{{cite web |title=Mata-au |url=https://www.kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas?find=%7B6cc89b47-4152-e311-8212-005056970030%7D |website=Kā Huru Manu |publisher=Nga Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu |accessdate=10 October 2021}}</ref> Māori trading groups used the [[Cromwell Gorge]] as the main thoroughfare to their [[pounamu]] and moa-hunting expeditions to the interior of Otago.{{Sfn|Laytham|1995|p=2}}
+Many early Māori archaeological sites have been found in the Cromwell Gorge, featuring moa [[eggshell]] fragments. Unlike other Central Otago sites, no burned bones have been found.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Nevill A. |date=1982 |title=The prehistoric role of the Cromwell Gorge, New Zealand |url=https://nzarchaeology.org/download/the-prehistoric-role-of-the-cromwell-gorge-new-zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Archaeology |volume=4 |pages=21–43 |access-date=23 October 2024  }}</ref>
-The mouth of Mata-au was heavily populated, with many permanent and temporary [[Kāi Tahu]] settlements throughout the lower stretches of the river. Murikauhaka, a settlement near the mouth of the Mata-au, was at one stage home to an estimated two hundred people.{{Sfn|Waite|1940|p=50}}<ref name="nront">{{cite web |title=Mata-au
-|url=https://www.kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas?find=%7B6cc89b47-4152-e311-8212-005056970030%7D |website=Kā Huru Manu |publisher=Nga Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu |accessdate=10 October 2021}}</ref> For Māori trading groups, Cromwell Gorge served as the main thoroughfare to their [[pounamu]] and moa-hunting expeditions to the interior of Otago.{{Sfn|Laytham|1995|p=2}} A number of early Māori archaeological sites are concentrated in the gorge and a considerable number of moa eggshell fragments but no bones were discovered. Although, burned moa bones have been discovered in several other Central Otago sites.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Nevill A. |date=1982 |title=The prehistoric role of the Cromwell Gorge, New Zealand |url=https://nzarchaeology.org/download/the-prehistoric-role-of-the-cromwell-gorge-new-zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Archaeology |volume=4 |pages=21–43 |access-date=23 October 2024  }}</ref>
 ===European history===
 [[File:Watson Shennan.png|200px|thumb|Watson Shennan an early settler of Central Otago (1866)]]
-During early European settlement in the South Island, a [[whaling]] station was established close to the Clutha River's mouth at [[Port Molyneux]], and during this period the sea was the source of almost all of the area's economy. The town of Port Molyneux, located on this bay, was a busy harbour during the 19th century. Its location at the mouth of the Clutha made it a good site for trade both from the interior and for coastal and ocean-going shipping. A major flood in 1878 shifted the mouth of the Clutha to the north and silted up the port, after which the town gradually dwindled.{{Sfnm|Waite|1940|1p=64-69|Joyce|2012|2p=11}}
+During early European settlement in the South Island, a [[whaling]] station was established close to the Clutha River's mouth at [[Port Molyneux]], and during this period the sea was the source of almost all of the area's economy. The town of Port Molyneux, located on this bay, was a busy [[harbour]] during the 19th century. Its location at the mouth of the Clutha made it a good site for trade, both from the interior and for coastal and ocean-going shipping. A major flood in 1878 shifted the mouth of the Clutha to the north and silted up the port, after which the town gradually dwindled.{{Sfnm|Waite|1940|1p=64-69|Joyce|2012|2p=11}}
-[[Nathanael Chalmers]] was the first European to see the South Island of New Zealand inland lakes of [[Lake Wakatipu|Wakatipu]], [[Lake Wānaka|Wānaka]] and [[Lake Hāwea|Hāwea]] as well as the valleys of the Upper Clutha River in 1853.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Chalmers, Nathanael |encyclopedia=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Frazer |first=Roger |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1c11/chalmers-nathanael |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref> Chalmers was guided by chiefs Reko and Kaikōura. They gathered hundreds of dry [[flax]] stems from the shores of Lake Hāwea and bonded them together with flax fibre to create a raft made of bundles of flax and [[raupō]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mōkihi |url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/4168 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Te Aka - Māori Dictionary}}</ref> With this, they would take Chalmers downstream the Clutha River.{{Sfn|Temple|1985|p=108-110}} European "sheepmen" arrived later in the late 1850s, searching for grazing grounds in Otago's interior.{{Sfn|Laytham|1995|p=2}}
+The first European to visit the Upper Clutha area and to see the inland lakes of [[Lake Wakatipu|Wakatipu]], [[Lake Wānaka|Wānaka]] and [[Lake Hāwea|Hāwea]] was [[Nathanael Chalmers]], who was guided by Chiefs Reko and Kaikōura in 1853.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |author=Jock Phillips |title=European exploration – Otago and Southland |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/european-exploration/page-7|accessdate=2017-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia  |title=Chalmers, Nathanael |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand  |last=Frazer |first=Roger |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1c11/chalmers-nathanael
+|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="DoC">{{cite book
+|author=Janet Stephenson
+|author-link=Janet Stephenson
+|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/SfC244b.pdf
+|title=Bannockburn Heritage Landscape Study
+|author2=Heather Bauchop
+|author3=Peter Petchey
+|date=2004 |page=29}}</ref> They returned him down the river on a {{lang|mi|mōkihi}}, a flax reed open kayak,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Waka – canoes – Other types of waka |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=Barclay-Kerr |first=Hoturoa |year=2006 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/6015/mokihi |access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref> that they built from [[flax]] stems and [[raupō]] from the shores of Lake Hāwea.{{Sfn|Temple|1985|pp=108–110}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=Students set to retrace journey of early |last=Grant |first=Michelle |date=2003-12-26 |work=The Southland Times |location=Invercargill, New Zealand |issn=0112-9910 |id={{ProQuest|330779331}}}}</ref>
+In 1910, 57 years after the event, Nathanael Chalmers remembered his boat trip through the Cromwell Gorge: "I shall never forget the "race" through the gorge ... my heart was literally in my mouth, but those two old men seemed to care nothing for the current."{{Sfn|Temple|1985|p=110}}
-In December 1857, Alexander and Watson Shennan, set off from [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] to Central Otago looking for land to raise sheep. The brothers proceeded farther than the runholders, who had previously acquired territory up to the [[Waitāhuna River]]. When they returned to [[Dunedin]] after spending several days exploring the Manuherikia Valley, they submitted an application to the [[Otago Provincial Government]] to lease two blocks of land on either side of the Manuherikia River. The total land area was {{convert|100,000|acres|abbr=off}}. They brought [[sheep]] to the district in 1858. Watson Shennan described the area as "well grassed and watered, a very land of promise" which attracted others to the region.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=8–9}}
+European "sheepmen" arrived later in the late 1850s, searching for grazing grounds in Otago's interior.{{Sfn|Laytham|1995|p=2}} Alexander and Watson Shennan set off from [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] (known previously as Tokomairiro) in December 1857 to Central Otago, looking for land to raise sheep. The brothers proceeded farther than the runholders who had previously acquired territory up to the [[Waitāhuna River]]. When they returned to [[Dunedin]] after spending several days exploring the Manuherikia Valley, they submitted an application to the [[Otago Provincial Government]] to lease two blocks of land on either side of the Manuherikia River. The total land area was {{convert|100,000|acres|abbr=off}}. They brought [[sheep]] to the district in 1858. Watson Shennan described the area as "well grassed and watered, a very land of promise" which attracted others to the region.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|pp=8–9}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=Take five: Milton |date=2019-11-30 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-otago/take-five-milton |access-date=2024-10-31 |work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref>
 In 1862, gold-rich bars of rocks and gravel were discovered by [[Christopher Reilly]] and [[Horatio Hartley]] during their winter 1862 expedition up Cromwell Gorge through the waters of the Clutha. They arrived in Dunedin on 15 August, 1862, deposited their {{convert|100|oz|abbr=on}} of gold, and were rewarded with £2,000.{{Sfn|Olssen|1984|p=58}}
@@ Line 105: / Line 117: @@
 ===Gold rush===
 {{main article|Otago gold rush}}
-[[File:Hartley_and_Reilly_Dredge,_Cromwell_Gorge.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Construction of a dredge in the Cromwell Gorge, 1890s]]
+[[File:Hartley_and_Reilly_Dredge,_Cromwell_Gorge.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Construction of a [[dredge]] in the [[Cromwell Gorge]] (1890s)]]
-A [[gold rush]] began in Central Otago in the 1860s. With several settlements quickly established near gold-rich rivers like the Clutha and [[Kawarau River|Kawarau]], the rush to Central Otago was the largest in the region's history.{{Sfn|Olssen|1984|p=59}} A large number of miners huts also existed during this era along the Clutha River. Roxburgh Gorge had a majority of the huts of this type, but they also occurred in Cromwell Gorge. A 1980 archaeological survey in the Roxburgh Gorge indicated a number of 32 huts and 79 rock shelters present in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Clutha reveals mining huts of past |last=Henderson |first=Simon |date=2019-12-27 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/clutha-reveals-mining-huts-past |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref>
+A [[gold rush]] began in Central Otago in the 1860s. With several settlements quickly established along gold-rich rivers such as the Clutha and [[Kawarau River|Kawarau]], the rush to Central Otago was the largest in the region's history.{{Sfn|Olssen|1984|p=59}} A large number of miners' huts also existed during this era along the Clutha River. Roxburgh Gorge had a majority of the huts of this type, but they also occurred in Cromwell Gorge. A 1980 archaeological survey in the Roxburgh Gorge indicated a number of 32 huts and 79 rock shelters present in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Clutha reveals mining huts of past |last=Henderson |first=Simon |date=2019-12-27 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/clutha-reveals-mining-huts-past |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref>
-Around 100 [[dredge]]s have operated at various times during its history in the river bed and nearby gravels, including the present-day gorge to the east of the [[Old Man Range]]. The Clutha River and its tributary Kawarau transported alluvial gold across a distance of 200 km (120 mi) in river bed load. A Middle [[Pleistocene]]-age ancestral Clutha River delivered detrital gold across the lower parts of what is presently the Manuherikia Valley near Alexandra.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Evolution of the Taieri River catchment, East Otago, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |last=Craw |first=D. |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2015.1126621 |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=257–273 |last2=Craw |first2=L. |last3=Burridge |first3=C. P. |last4=Wallis |first4=G. P. |last5=Waters |first5=J. M. |year=2016 |doi=10.1080/00288306.2015.1126621 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
+Around 100 [[dredge]]s have operated at various times during the area's history in the river bed and nearby gravels, including the present-day gorge to the east of the [[Old Man Range]]. The Clutha River and its tributary Kawarau transported [[alluvial]] gold across a distance of {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} in [[river bed]] load. A Middle [[Pleistocene]]-age ancestral Clutha River delivered detrital gold across the lower parts of what is presently the Manuherikia Valley near Alexandra.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Evolution of the Taieri River catchment, East Otago, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |last1=Craw |first1=D. |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=257–273 |last2=Craw |first2=L. |last3=Burridge |first3=C. P. |last4=Wallis |first4=G. P. |last5=Waters |first5=J. M. |year=2016 |doi=10.1080/00288306.2015.1126621 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
 By Christmas 1861, 14,000 prospectors were on the Tuapeka and Waipori fields. The gold rush was short-lived, with most of the alluvial gold played out by 1863, but prospectors continued to arrive, swelling to a maximum of 18,000 miners in February 1864.<ref>McKinnon, M. (ed.), Bradley, B. & Kirkpatrick, R. (1997). ''New Zealand Historical Atlas: Ko Papatuanuku e Takoto Nei.'' Auckland: David Bateman Ltd. {{ISBN|1-86953-335-6}}.</ref>
-Mining in the Clutha River upstream from Cromwell became significant after 1900, when the area's potential was gradually recognised. Previously, the Kawarau River and the Clutha River running downstream from Cromwell was the primary focus.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Uncertain enterprises: the experience of two gold dredging companies on the Clutha River above Cromwell, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Australasian mining history |last=Barnett |first=Ross |volume=20 |pages=50-72 |year=2022 |id=ASBS12262}}</ref> Māori were aware of gold in the Clutha River but they did not value it.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=6}}
+Mining in the Clutha River upstream from Cromwell became significant after 1900, when the area's potential was gradually recognised. Previously, the Kawarau River and the Clutha River running downstream from Cromwell were the primary focus.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Uncertain enterprises: the experience of two gold dredging companies on the Clutha River above Cromwell, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Australasian Mining History |last=Barnett |first=Ross |volume=20 |pages=50–72 |year=2022 |id=ASBS12262}}</ref> Māori were aware of gold in the Clutha River but they did not value it.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=6}}
 ==Geography==
 [[File:NZ-Clutha R.png|thumb|right|220px|Location of the Clutha River and its catchment in the South Island]]
-The Clutha River is the South Island's largest river and has the largest [[catchment]] and [[Discharge (hydrology)|outflow]] in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island is discharged through Clutha River alone. With a mean discharge of approximately {{convert|500|m3|abbr=on}}, a catchment area of around {{convert|22000|km2|abbr=on}}, and a length of about {{convert|340|km|abbr=on}}, which makes it one of the longest rivers in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Regional Hydrology of the Clutha River |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |last=Murray |first=D. L. |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43944345 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=83–98 |year=1975 |access-date=2024-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Calvert |first=R. J. |title=History and Backgorunf of the Clutha River |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |publisher=New Zealand Hydrological Society |volume=14 |issue=2 |year=1975 |issn=00221708 |jstor=43944344 |pages=76–82 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43944344 |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref> The major [[tributary|tributaries]] include the [[Arrow River (New Zealand)|Arrow River]], [[Cardrona River]], [[Lindis River]], [[Manuherikia River]], [[Teviot River]], [[Pomahaka River]], and the [[Waitāhuna River]]. Towns near the Clutha River include [[Alexandra, New Zealand]], Balclutha, Cromwell, [[Roxburgh, New Zealand|Roxbrugh]], and [[Wānaka]].<ref name="E" /><ref name="X">{{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Malcolm |last2=Bardsley |first2=Earl |title=A hydrological drought index for the Clutha catchment, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |publisher=New Zealand Hydrological Society |volume=58 |issue=1 |year=2019 |issn=00221708 |jstor=26832290 |pages=47–56 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26832290 |access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>
+The Clutha River is the South Island's largest river and has the largest [[catchment]] and [[Discharge (hydrology)|outflow]] in New Zealand. About 6% of all water in the South Island is discharged through Clutha River alone. It has a mean discharge of approximately {{convert|500|m3|abbr=on}}, a catchment area of around {{convert|22000|km2|abbr=on}}, and a length of about {{convert|340|km|abbr=on}}, which makes it one of the longest rivers in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Regional Hydrology of the Clutha River |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |last=Murray |first=D. L. |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43944345 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=83–98 |year=1975 |jstor=43944345 |access-date=2024-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Calvert |first=R. J. |title=History and Background of the Clutha River |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |publisher=New Zealand Hydrological Society |volume=14 |issue=2 |year=1975 |issn=0022-1708 |jstor=43944344 |pages=76–82 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43944344 |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref> The major [[tributary|tributaries]] include the [[Arrow River (New Zealand)|Arrow River]], [[Cardrona River]], [[Lindis River]], [[Manuherikia River]], [[Teviot River]], [[Pomahaka River]], and the [[Waitāhuna River]]. Towns near the Clutha River include [[Alexandra, New Zealand]], Balclutha, Cromwell, [[Roxburgh, New Zealand|Roxbrugh]], and [[Wānaka]].<ref name="E" /><ref name="X">{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Malcolm |last2=Bardsley |first2=Earl |title=A hydrological drought index for the Clutha catchment, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |publisher=New Zealand Hydrological Society |volume=58 |issue=1 |year=2019 |issn=0022-1708 |jstor=26832290 |pages=47–56 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26832290 |access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>
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 The southern end of the lake drains into the nascent Clutha close to [[Albert Town, New Zealand|Albert Town]], where it is met by its first main tributary, the [[Hāwea River]], the outflow of Lake Wānaka's twin, [[Lake Hāwea]]. Close downstream it is fed by the [[Cardrona River]].
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 ===Course===
-The Clutha River is about {{convert|340|km|abbr=on}}, flowing roughly north to south through the Otago Region. The Clutha River's headwaters are located in the [[Southern Alps]], receiving up to {{convert|8000|mm|abbr=on}} of [[precipitation]] annually from the west and north west. The Clutha River and its tributaries receive water from three lakes in Otago, [[Lake Hāwea|Hāwea]], [[Lake Wakatipu|Wakatipu]], and [[Lake Wānaka|Wānaka]], along with its minor tributaries Arrow, Beaumont, Lindis, Manuherikia, Nevis, Shotover, Talla Burn, Teviot, and Pomahaka.<ref name="X" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clutha River / Mata-Au, Otago |url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz16595/Clutha-River%2fMata-Au/Otago |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=NZ Topo Map}}</ref> The Clutha River may have taken its current course due to glacial advances in the middle to late-[[Pleistocene ]] advances that nearly reached Cromwell.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Stephens |first=S |last2=MacKenzie |first2=D |last3=Barth |first3=N |last4=Craw |first4=D |title=Links between orogenic and placer gold on the Old Man Range, Central Otago, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=58 |issue=3 |date=3 July 2015 |issn=0028-8306 |doi=10.1080/00288306.2015.1070181 |doi-access=free |pages=296–312}}</ref> An economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two [[hydropower]] stations, which provides 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.<ref name="X" />
+The Clutha River extends about {{convert|340|km|abbr=on}}, flowing roughly north to south through the Otago Region. The Clutha River's headwaters are located in the [[Southern Alps]], receiving up to {{convert|8000|mm|abbr=on}} of [[precipitation]] annually from the west and north west. The Clutha River and its tributaries receive water from three lakes in Otago, [[Lake Hāwea|Hāwea]], [[Lake Wakatipu|Wakatipu]], and [[Lake Wānaka|Wānaka]], along with its minor tributaries Arrow, Beaumont, Lindis, Manuherikia, Nevis, Shotover, Talla Burn, Teviot, and Pomahaka.<ref name="X" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clutha River / Mata-Au, Otago |url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz16595/Clutha-River%2fMata-Au/Otago |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=NZ Topo Map}}</ref> The Clutha River may have taken its current course due to glacial advances in the middle to late-[[Pleistocene]], advances that nearly reached Cromwell.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stephens |first1=S |last2=MacKenzie |first2=D |last3=Barth |first3=N |last4=Craw |first4=D |title=Links between orogenic and placer gold on the Old Man Range, Central Otago, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=58 |issue=3 |date=3 July 2015 |issn=0028-8306 |doi=10.1080/00288306.2015.1070181 |doi-access=free |pages=296–312}}</ref> It is an economically significant river for the country. The Clutha River encompasses two [[hydropower]] stations, which provide 14% of the country's hydropower generation capacity.<ref name="X" />
 ===Catchment===
-It drains the largest catchment in New Zealand, which is about {{convert|22,000 |km2|abbr=on}} in size and an area normalised flow of about {{convert|800|mm |abbr=on}}. It has an average annual discharge of {{convert|530|m3|abbr=on}}.{{efn|Its catchment area size may differ between high-quality sources. {{harvnb|Murray|1975|}} mentions {{convert|22000|km2|abbr=on}}. However, {{harvnb|Redpath|Sirguey|Cullen|2019}} mentions {{convert|20,800|km2|abbr=on}}. For now, this article will rely on Murray, 1975.}} Long-standing hydroelectricity commitments and demands for urban water supply and irrigation for [[horticulture]] and [[agriculture]] increase, meeting the Clutha Catchment's rapidly expanding water needs will become more increasingly challenging in the future. Located at a maximum elevation of approximately {{convert|2800|m|abbr=on}} on the [[Main Divide]] of the Southern Alps, the majority of its headwater flows originate from the melting of alpine snow cover and rainfall, with glaciers contributing a minor amount.<ref name="G">{{cite journal |last=Redpath |first=Todd A. N. |last2=Sirguey |first2=Pascal |last3=Cullen |first3=Nicolas J. |title=Characterising spatio-temporal variability in seasonal snow cover at a regional scale from MODIS data: the Clutha Catchment, New Zealand |journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |publisher=Copernicus GmbH |volume=23 |issue=8 |date=2 August 2019 |issn=1607-7938 |doi=10.5194/hess-23-3189-2019 |doi-access=free |pages=3189–3217}}</ref>
+It drains the largest catchment in New Zealand, which is about {{convert|22,000 |km2|abbr=on}} in size, and has an area normalised flow of about {{convert|800|mm |abbr=on}}. It has an average annual discharge of {{convert|530|m3|abbr=on}}.{{efn|Its catchment area size may differ between high-quality sources. {{harvnb|Murray|1975|}} mentions {{convert|22000|km2|abbr=on}}. However, {{harvnb|Redpath|Sirguey|Cullen|2019}} mentions {{convert|20,800|km2|abbr=on}}. For now, this article will rely on Murray, 1975.}} Due to long-standing hydroelectricity commitments and increasing demands for urban water supply and irrigation for [[horticulture]] and [[agriculture]], meeting the Clutha Catchment's rapidly expanding water needs will become more challenging in the future. Located at a maximum elevation of approximately {{convert|2800|m|abbr=on}} on the [[Main Divide]] of the Southern Alps, the majority of the river's headwater flows originate from the melting of alpine snow cover and rainfall, with glaciers contributing a minor amount.<ref name="G">{{cite journal |last1=Redpath |first1=Todd A. N. |last2=Sirguey |first2=Pascal |last3=Cullen |first3=Nicolas J. |title=Characterising spatio-temporal variability in seasonal snow cover at a regional scale from MODIS data: the Clutha Catchment, New Zealand |journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |publisher=Copernicus GmbH |volume=23 |issue=8 |date=2 August 2019 |issn=1607-7938 |doi=10.5194/hess-23-3189-2019 |doi-access=free |pages=3189–3217}}</ref>
-In inland basins, annual precipitation totals can be less than {{convert|400|mm|abbr=on}}, while on the western edge of the catchment, they can surpass {{convert|4000|mm|abbr=on}}. The contribution of [[snowmelt]] to the annual [[streamflow]] of the Clutha River is estimated to be 10% by the time it reaches the Southern [[Pacific Ocean]]. This proportion is considerably higher for alpine sub-catchments and large inland basins, this percentage may be as high as 30% to 50%. A number of large tributaries originate in Central Otago's [[semi-arid]] basins, where yearly precipitation can be as low as {{convert|400|mm|abbr=on}}, which is an order of magnitude lower than on the [[Main Divide]].<ref name="G"/>
+In inland basins, annual precipitation totals can be less than {{convert|400|mm|abbr=on}}, while on the western edge of the catchment, they can surpass {{convert|4000|mm|abbr=on}}. The contribution of [[snowmelt]] to the annual [[streamflow]] of the Clutha River is estimated to be 10% by the time it reaches the Southern [[Pacific Ocean]]. This proportion is considerably higher for alpine sub-catchments and large inland basins, rising as high as 30% to 50%. A number of large tributaries originate in Central Otago's [[semi-arid]] basins, where yearly precipitation can be as low as {{convert|400|mm|abbr=on}}, which is an order of magnitude lower than on the [[Main Divide]].<ref name="G"/>
-The discharge of the Clutha is around {{convert|614|m3/s|cuft/s}},<ref name="flow2"/> comparable to many much larger rivers. This heavy flow, combined with the relatively small size of the river in global terms, makes the Clutha notoriously fast-flowing. It is often listed as one of the world's most swiftly flowing rivers, alongside Australia's [[Macleay River|Macleay]] and [[Fitzroy River (Western Australia)|Fitzroy River]]s, the [[Amazon River|Amazon]] and [[Atrato River]]s in South America, and the [[Teesta River]] in the Himalayas. The highest recorded flow on the Clutha was during heavy storms in 1978, peaking at {{convert|4581|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clutha River at Balclutha - Flow |url=https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/water/water-monitoring-and-alerts/lower-clutha/clutha-river-at-balclutha-flow |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Otago Regional Council |language=en}}</ref>
+The mean flow of the Clutha is around {{convert|614|m3/s|cuft/s}},<ref name="flow2"/><ref name="Q" /> comparable to many much larger rivers. This heavy flow, combined with the relatively small size of the river in global terms, makes the Clutha notoriously fast-flowing. It is often listed as one of the world's most swiftly flowing rivers, alongside Australia's [[Macleay River|Macleay]] and [[Fitzroy River (Western Australia)|Fitzroy River]]s, the [[Amazon River|Amazon]] and [[Atrato River]]s in South America, and the [[Teesta River]] in the Himalayas. The highest recorded flow on the Clutha was during heavy storms in 1978, peaking at {{convert|4581|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clutha River at Balclutha – Flow |url=https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/water/water-monitoring-and-alerts/lower-clutha/clutha-river-at-balclutha-flow |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Otago Regional Council |language=en}}</ref>
 ==Ecology==
 [[File:Salmo trutta fario - Truite fario - Brown trout.jpg|220px|thumb|right| [[Brown trout]] are found all-over the Clutha River and its nearby streams]]
-A 2022 report of the river by the [[National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research]] (NIWA) indicated a result of 12 species of native fish, and 2 species from its tributaries. With the exception of upland bully, [[common river galaxias]] and [[roundhead galaxias]], all native species are [[diadromous]], meaning that diadromous species recorded from tributaries such as [[giant kōkopu]] and [[Climbing galaxias|kōaro]] likely went through the mainstem while on their way to its tributaries.<ref name="J" /> [[Brown trout]] are the most encountered fish in the Clutha River, they occur throughout the main river, streams, and nearby lakes.<ref name="CR">{{Cite report |title=Water-based recreation on the lower Clutha River |date=1986-01-01 |url=https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/fer61.pdf |last=Whiting |first=R. |access-date=2024-10-29 |publisher=Fisheries Research Division N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries |location=Roxbrugh, New Zealand |issn=0111-4794}}</ref> [[Rainbow trout]] also appear in the river but in smaller numbers, and they are more common in the lower section of the river compared to the upper streches.<ref name="CR" />
+A 2022 report of the river by the [[National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research]] (NIWA) indicated a result of 12 species of native fish, and 2 species from its tributaries, with the exception of [[upland bully]], [[common river galaxias]] and [[roundhead galaxias]]. All native species are [[diadromous]], meaning that they are recorded from the tributaries,  and [[giant kōkopu]] and [[Climbing galaxias|kōaro]] likely went through the mainstem while on their way to its tributaries. The Clutha River has a limited
+collection of native species, though it does provide a through route for the many other diadromous species.<ref name="Q" /> [[Brown trout]] are the most encountered fish in the Clutha River, occurring throughout the main river, streams, and nearby lakes.<ref name="CR">{{Cite report |title=Water-based recreation on the lower Clutha River|date=1986-01-01 |url=https://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/fer61.pdf |last=Whiting |first=R. |access-date=2024-10-29 |publisher=Fisheries Research Division N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries |location=Roxbrugh, New Zealand |issn=0111-4794}}</ref> [[Rainbow trout]] also appear in the river but in smaller numbers, and they are more common in the lower section of the river compared to the upper stretches.<ref name="CR" />
-At the minimum, nine species of freshwater-limited [[Galaxias]] species have been identified in the Clutha River of genetics and [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]].<ref name="J" />  A [[New Zealand Threat Classification System|Nationally Critical]] species of Galaxias called "Clutha flathead species D" occurs in various parts of the catchment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clutha Flathead Galaxias |website=Department of Conservation |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/freshwater-fish/non-migratory-galaxiids/clutha-flathead-galaxias/ |ref={{sfnref|Department of Conservation}} |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> Distributions of fish within the catchment have been identified, but because to anthropogenic habitat change, habitat preferences, and localised predation by introduced [[trout]].<ref name="J" />
+At the minimum, nine species of freshwater-limited [[Galaxias]] have been identified in the Clutha River by genetics and [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]].<ref name="J" /><ref name="Q" /> A [[New Zealand Threat Classification System|Nationally Critical]] species of Galaxias called "Clutha flathead species D" occurs in various parts of the catchment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clutha Flathead Galaxias |website=Department of Conservation |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/freshwater-fish/non-migratory-galaxiids/clutha-flathead-galaxias/ |ref={{sfnref|Department of Conservation}} |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> A 2022 study by ''[[Diversity and Distributions]]'' revealed that the river is home to a  diverse range of [[Galaxias vulgaris]] clades; its diversity is likely a reflection of the Clutha River's complex geological processes. The study emphasises the importance of the [[genome]]-wide methods to identify species and understand biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems and conservation in the Clutha River.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=Ciaran S. M. |last2=Dutoit |first2=Ludovic |last3=King |first3=Tania M. |last4=Craw |first4=Dave |last5=Burridge |first5=Christopher P. |last6=Wallis |first6=Graham P. |last7=Waters |first7=Jonathan M. |doi=10.1111/ddi.13629| title=Genome-wide analysis resolves the radiation of New Zealand's freshwater Galaxias vulgaris complex and reveals a candidate species obscured by mitochondrial capture |journal=Diversity and Distributions |publisher=Wiley |volume=28 |issue=10 |year=2022 |issn=1366-9516 |jstor=48687116 |pages=2255–2267 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
-Prior to the construction of Roxburgh Dam, salmon could be found traversing the length of the Clutha River and could be found spawning as far upstream as the tributaries of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea. The Clutha is the most southernmost of the recognised salmon rivers, and salmon continue to arrive each spring and summer, though numbers have decreased since the construction of Roxburgh Dam. [[Common bully|Common bullies]], [[New Zealand smelt|smelt]], and [[perch]] are also found in the river.<ref>{{Cite report |title=Hydrology, water quality and ecology of the lower Clutha |date=2022-07-06 |url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/28333-hydrology-water-quality-and-ecology-of-the-lower-clutha |last=Kuczynski |first=Anika |issue=1 |access-date=2024-10-28 |last2=Griffiths |first2=James |publisher=National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |last3=Jellyman |first3=Don}}</ref>
+Before the construction of [[Roxburgh Dam]], [[salmon]] could be found traversing the length of the Clutha River and spawning as far upstream as Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka. The Clutha is the southernmost recognised salmon river; salmon continue to arrive each spring and summer, though numbers have decreased since the construction of Roxburgh Dam. [[Common bully|Common bullies]], [[New Zealand smelt|smelt]], and [[perch]] are also found in the river.<ref name="Q">{{Cite report |title=Hydrology, water quality and ecology of the lower Clutha |date=2022-07-06 |url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/28333-hydrology-water-quality-and-ecology-of-the-lower-clutha |last1=Kuczynski |first1=Anika |issue=1 |access-date=2024-10-28 |last2=Griffiths |first2=James |publisher=National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |last3=Jellyman |first3=Don}}</ref>
+A 1981 assessment of the river by the Upper Clutha Valley Development with the [[Ministry of Works and Development]] emphasised the high-quality waters of the river and very low levels of [[phytoplankton]] biomasses present.<ref>{{Cite report |title=An assessment of the possible effects on the proposed Luggate and Queensberry Hydro-electric impoundments on the water quality of the Upper Clutha River. |date=1981-02-01 |last1=B. J. |first1=Biggs |last2=T. T. |first2=Malthus |publisher=Clutha Valley Development Environmental Impact Report |edition=2 |page=10}}</ref>
 ==Floods==
-[[File:Balclutha Bridge Jan 5, 2017.jpg|thumb|right|The Clutha passes under the third [[Balclutha Road Bridge]]. The first bridge at this site was destroyed during the flood of 1878.]] Several major [[flood]]s have occurred on the Clutha, most notably the "Hundred year floods" of 14–16 October 1878 and 13–15 October 1978. During the October 1878 flood, the bridges at Bannockburn, Roxburgh, and Beaumont were swept away, causing significant damage downstream. The bridge at Clyde gave way to the flow, and its remnants drifted out to the ocean with the rest. Over 21,000 [[livestock]] was lost when floodwaters flooded over {{convert|12,000|h|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=11-12}}
+[[File:Balclutha Bridge Jan 5, 2017.jpg|thumb|right|The Clutha passes under the third [[Balclutha Road Bridge]]. The first bridge at this site was destroyed during the flood of 1878.]]
+Several major [[flood]]s have occurred on the Clutha, most notably the "Hundred year floods" of October 1878 and October 1978. During the October 1878 flood, snow from the Southern Alps began to melt and the river started to rise. Central Otago experienced widespread flooding and farm buildings were submerged to their rooftops while rivers filled with dead horses and sheep, [[timber]] from farms and mine workings, and trees with a diameter of {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}}. A bridge in Clyde collapsed on 29 September, and its wreckage floated down to Roxburgh, where it struck a bridge there. The bridges at Bannockburn, Beaumont and Roxbrugh were swept away. As a result, this caused significant damage downstream.<ref name="AA">{{Cite news |title=The River Wild |last=Brenstrum |first=Erick |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-river-wild/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |work=New Zealand Geographic |year=2014}}</ref> Over 21,000 [[livestock]] were lost when waters flooded over {{convert|12,000|h|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Joyce|2012|pp=11–12}} The Balclutha Bridge collapsed on 13 October.<ref name="AA" />
-The 1978 flood breached the banks of rivers from the [[Ōreti River|Ōreti]] in the south to the [[Tokomairaro River|Tokomairaro]]. Over {{convert|12000|ha|acre}} of land was inundated, with the loss of over 21,000 livestock. Towns and areas affected stretched from [[Makarora]] in the north to [[Invercargill]] in the south. The town of [[Wyndham, New Zealand|Wyndham]] was completely evacuated, and the towns of [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] and [[Mataura]] were seriously affected with many residents moved. The small settlement of [[Kelso, New Zealand|Kelso]] on the banks of the [[Pomahaka River]] was completely abandoned and was not rebuilt once the waters subsided.<ref name="flood1">Lloyd, K. (1978) ''Flood disaster 1978.'' Dunedin.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Clutha Flood of October 1978 |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |last=Jowett |first=I. G. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43944452 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=121-140 |via=JSTOR |year=1979}}</ref>  At its peak, at 6.00 a.m. on the 15th, the Clutha's flow was measured at just over {{convert|4500|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref name="flood2">Lind, C.A. (1978) ''The 100 year flood - 1978.'' Invercargill: Craig Printing Co.</ref>
+The 1978 flood breached the banks of rivers from the [[Ōreti River|Ōreti]] in the south to the [[Tokomairaro River|Tokomairaro]]. Over {{convert|12000|ha|acre}} of land was inundated, with the loss of over 21,000 livestock. Towns and areas affected stretched from [[Makarora]] in the north to [[Invercargill]] in the south. The town of [[Wyndham, New Zealand|Wyndham]] was completely evacuated, and the towns of [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] and [[Mataura]] were seriously affected with many residents moved. The small settlement of [[Kelso, New Zealand|Kelso]] on the banks of the [[Pomahaka River]] was completely abandoned and was not rebuilt once the waters subsided.<ref name="flood1">Lloyd, K. (1978) ''Flood disaster 1978.'' Dunedin.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Clutha Flood of October 1978 |journal=Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) |last=Jowett |first=I. G. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43944452 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=121–140  |year=1979|jstor=43944452 }}</ref>  At its peak, on 15 October, the Clutha's flow was measured at just over {{convert|4500|m3/s|cuft/s}}.<ref name="flood2">Lind, C.A. (1978) ''The 100 year flood – 1978.'' Invercargill: Craig Printing Co.</ref>
-A major flood in November 1999 seriously damaged river communities, especially [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]].{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=11}} The flooding in Alexandra was attributed to a rise in the riverbed, resulting from silt loading in the Roxburgh reservoir behind the [[Roxburgh Dam]] downriver from the town. The 1999 flood had significantly higher water levels in Alexandra than the 1878 flood,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/MEMWebsite.nsf/Files/Chapter4/$file/Chapter4.pdf|title=Alexandra: A Practical Solution for Managing Flood Risk|first=Chris|last=Kilby|date=February 2001|page=4|access-date=2013-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210085441/http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/MEMWebsite.nsf/Files/Chapter4/$file/Chapter4.pdf|archive-date=2013-02-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> despite being only 80% of the volume of the latter.
+A major flood in November 1999 seriously damaged river communities, especially [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]].{{sfn|Joyce|2012|p=11}} The flooding in Alexandra was attributed to a rise in the riverbed resulting from silt loading in the Roxburgh reservoir behind the [[Roxburgh Dam]], downriver from the town. The 1999 flood had significantly higher water levels in Alexandra than the 1878 flood,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/MEMWebsite.nsf/Files/Chapter4/$file/Chapter4.pdf|title=Alexandra: A Practical Solution for Managing Flood Risk|first=Chris|last=Kilby|date=February 2001|page=4|access-date=2013-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210085441/http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/MEMWebsite.nsf/Files/Chapter4/$file/Chapter4.pdf|archive-date=2013-02-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> despite being only 80% of the volume of the latter.
 == Dams ==
+{{Main articles|Clyde Dam|Roxburgh Dam}}
-[[File:Controversial (33991926528).jpg|thumb|right|The Clyde Dam]]
+[[File:Controversial (33991926528).jpg|thumb|right|The Clyde Dam (2019)]]
-Currently, there are two [[hydroelectric]] power stations on the Clutha River, the 464MW [[Clyde Dam]] and the 320MW [[Roxburgh Dam]], provide electricity to the New Zealand [[power grid]]. Other dam projects proposed for the river have been cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/207479/contact-pulls-plug-dams|title=Contact pulls plug on dams|last=Ibbotson|first=Lucy|date=1 May 2012|work=Otago Daily Times|access-date=22 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Combined snow- and streamflow modelling to estimate impacts of climate change on water resources in the Clutha River, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Hydrology |last=Poyck |first=Suzanne |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=293-311 |via=ProQuest |last2=Handrikx |first2=Jordy |last3=McMilan |first3=Hilary |last4=Hreinsson |first4=Einar Örn |last5=Woods |first5=Ross |year=2011 |location=Wellington, New Zealand}}</ref>
+There are two [[hydroelectric]] power stations on the Clutha River, the 464MW [[Clyde Dam]] and the 320MW [[Roxburgh Dam]], which together provide about 22% of the South Island's hydroelectric power supply to the New Zealand [[power grid]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The hydroelectric power potential of New Zealand's largest catchment (Clutha River) under 21st century climate change |journal=New Zealand Hydrological Society |last1=M. Jobst |first1=Andreas |date=2022-12-02 |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.622223774632649 |volume=61 |issue=2 |last2=J. Cullen |first2=Nicolas |last3=G Kingston |first3=Daniel |pages=113–136 |location=Wellington, New Zealand}}</ref>
+The Clutha River's first dam was the Nil Desperandum Dam in the Upper Clutha Valley, existing from 1864–66.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Carpenter |first=Lloyd |title=The Clutha's First Dam: The Nil Desperandum Project at Quartz Reef Point, 1864–66 |journal=The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=83 |issue=2 |year=2013 |issn=1758-1206 |doi=10.1179/1758120613z.00000000028 |pages=253–273}}</ref> The Roxburgh Dam was the first substantial dam in the South Island. Construction on the dam began in 1949.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Otago places – Clutha River / Mata-Au |encyclopedia=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |last=McKinnon |first=Malcolm |year=2015 |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/22793/building-the-roxburgh-dam |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> Four [[turbine]]s were installed in 1956–57 and four  more in 1960–61.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Five-year refurbishment project starts at Roxburgh station, New Zealand |last=Stocks |first=Carrieann |date=2021-07-08 |url=https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/five-year-refurbishment-project-starts-at-roxburgh-station-new-zealand-8879305/?cf-view |access-date=2024-10-30 |work=International Water Power & Dam Construction Magazine}}</ref> Its installed capacity is 320MW.<ref name="X" />
+Construction began on the Clyde Dam in 1982 and was completed in 1993. It was a somewhat controversial project, with opposition and criticism from environmentalists and local residents. Completion of the Clyde Dam took much longer than expected, at a final cost more than 45% higher than the first estimate.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Nathan |first=Simon |title=Geology and the Clyde Dam |date=10 February 2021 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349162756 |journal=Geoscience Society of New Zealand Journal of the Historical Studies Group  |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Premachandra |first1=I. M. |last2=Gonzalez |first2=Liliana |title=A Simulation Model Solved the Problem of Scheduling Drilling Rigs at Clyde Dam |journal=Interfaces |publisher=INFORMS |volume=26 |issue=2 |year=1996 |issn=0092-2102 |jstor=25062112 |pages=80–91 |doi=10.1287/inte.26.2.80 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/25062112 |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> The Clyde Dam was one of [[Robert Muldoon]]'s and the [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National Government]]'s "[[Think Big]]" projects, an interventionist state economic strategy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Munro |first=Bruce |title=Some final thoughts from a 'virtually forgotten' political powerhouse |website=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=25 May 2020 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/some-final-thoughts-virtually-forgotten-political-powerhouse |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Stewart|title=Fuelled by crisis: Why Think Big still matters today |website=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128757220/fuelled-by-crisis-why-think-big-still-matters-today |ref={{sfnref|Stuff}} |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> Several Local Authorities along the Clutha River use it as a source for treatment plants to provide communities with potable water.
-The Clutha River's first dam was the Nil Desperandum Dam in the Upper Clutha Valley, from 1864–66.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Carpenter |first=Lloyd |title=The Clutha’s First Dam: The Nil Desperandum Project at Quartz Reef Point, 1864–66 |journal=The International Journal for the History of Engineering &amp; Technology |publisher=Informa UK Limited |volume=83 |issue=2 |year=2013 |issn=1758-1206 |doi=10.1179/1758120613z.00000000028 |pages=253–273}}</ref>
+Further dam projects have been proposed for the river, but as of 2012, all have been cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/207479/contact-pulls-plug-dams|title=Contact pulls plug on dams|last=Ibbotson|first=Lucy|date=1 May 2012|work=Otago Daily Times|access-date=22 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Combined snow- and streamflow modelling to estimate impacts of climate change on water resources in the Clutha River, New Zealand |journal=Journal of Hydrology |last1=Poyck |first1=Suzanne |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=293–311 |via=ProQuest |last2=Handrikx |first2=Jordy |last3=McMilan |first3=Hilary |last4=Hreinsson |first4=Einar Örn |last5=Woods |first5=Ross |year=2011 |location=Wellington, New Zealand}}</ref>
-Several Local Authorities along the Clutha River use it as a source for treatment plants to provide communities with potable water.
 ==Recreation==
-The Clutha provides irrigation for [[stone fruit]] orchards and vineyards around Cromwell, Alexandra, and Roxburgh, which grow apples, apricots, nectarines, cherries, peaches and grapes.  here are more [[viticulture|vineyards]] in the upper reaches of the river at [[Bannockburn, New Zealand|Bannockburn]], [[Bendigo, New Zealand|Bendigo]], [[Tarras]] and [[Wānaka]].
+The Clutha provides irrigation for [[stone fruit]] orchards and vineyards around Cromwell, Alexandra, and Roxburgh, which grow apples, apricots, nectarines, cherries, peaches and grapes. There are more [[viticulture|vineyards]] in the upper reaches of the river at [[Bannockburn, New Zealand|Bannockburn]], [[Bendigo, New Zealand|Bendigo]], [[Tarras]] and [[Wānaka]].
 {{Clear}}
@@ Line 179: / Line 199: @@
 ==Works cited==
 {{Refbegin}}
-* {{Cite book |title=The Catlins |last=Buckingham |first=R. |year=1985 |isbn=0477057586 |last2=Jones |first2=John-Hall}}
+* {{Cite book |title=The Catlins |last1=Buckingham |first1=R. |year=1985 |isbn=0477057586 |last2=Jones |first2=John-Hall}}
 * {{Cite book |title=Port Molyneux: The Story of Maori and Pakeha in South Otago – a Centennial history |last=Waite |first=Fred |year=1940 |publisher=Clutha County Council |url=https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WaiPort-t1-body-d1-d15-d5.html |via=New Zealand Electronic Text Collection}}
 * {{Cite book |title=Lore and history of the South Island Māori |last=Taylor |first=W.A |year=1952 |isbn=9781927207024 |location=Christchurch, New Zealand}}
@@ Line 186: / Line 206: @@
 * {{Cite book |title=A History of Otago |last=Olssen |first=Erik |publisher=J. McIndoe Ltd. |year=1984 |isbn=9780868680583 |location=Dunedin, New Zealand}}'
 * {{Cite book |title=The Cromwell Gorge An Historical Guide |last=Laytham |first=Pamela |publisher=Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group and Rogan McIndoe Print Ltd. |year=1995 |location=Cromwell, New Zealand}}
-* {{Cite book |title=Gold Rush Central Otago 1862 |last=Joyce |first=Lousie |publisher=Promote Dunstan Inc. |year=2012 |isbn=0473201712 |location=Clyde, New Zealand}}
+* {{Cite book |title=Gold Rush Central Otago 1862 |last=Joyce |first=Lousie |publisher=Promote Dunstan Inc. |year=2012 |isbn=978-0473201715 |location=Clyde, New Zealand}}
 {{Refend}}
-==External Links==
+==External links==
 * {{commonscategory-inline}}
 {{Clear}}

v t e Clutha River (Mata-Au)
Source: Southern Alps—Flows into: Pacific Ocean
Administrative areas	Otago Region Queenstown–Lakes District Central Otago District Clutha District
Towns and settlements (upstream to downstream)	Wānaka Albert Town Luggate Lowburn Cromwell Clyde Alexandra Lake Roxburgh Roxburgh Teviot Ettrick Millers Flat Beaumont Tuapeka Mouth Clydevale Balclutha Stirling Kaitangata Port Molyneux
Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence)	Makarora River Matukituki River Hāwea River Cardrona River Lindis River Kawarau River Manuherikia River Teviot River Tuapeka River Pomahaka River Waitāhuna River
Lakes in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary)	Lake Wānaka Lake Hāwea Lake Dunstan Lake Wakatipu Lake Roxburgh Lake Tuakitoto
Islands in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary)	Mou Waho Pigeon Island Pig Island / Mātau Birch Island Inch Clutha
Other features (upstream to downstream)	Central Otago wine region Deadman's Point Bridge Old Cromwell Bridge Cromwell Gorge Clyde Dam Alexandra bridges Roxburgh Dam Kelso Balclutha Road Bridge
Longest New Zealand rivers	1: Waikato 2: Clutha 3: Whanganui 4: Taieri 5: Rangitīkei 6: Mataura 7: Waiau 8: Waiau Toa / Clarence 9: Waitaki 10: Ōreti 11: Rangitaiki 12: Manawatū

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