OFFICIAL HYDROGRAPHIC OBSERVATION REPORT NZ

Kawarau River Water Level & Telemetry

Gauge Station: Kawarau River at Chard Farm • South Island• New Zealand

● NORMAL FLOW

Water Level (STAGE)

29.00 m

Normal Band: 130.0 – 450.0 m

Discharge / Flow

290 m³/s

Historical Peak: 1,600 m³/s

Elevation

— ft

Elevation above sea level

VERIFIED TELEMETRY • SOURCE: LAWA & NIWA • GAUGE ID: NZ-OTA-065@-45.0200,168.9100 • COORD: -45.020°, 168.910°

OBSERVED: Oct 1, 2026, 4:21 PM

Kawarau River Where It Flows & Gauge Station

HYDROGRAPHIC MAP & GAUGING LOCATION

PRECIPITATION RADAR

GEOGRAPHIC COURSE & HYDROLOGICAL REACH

Where It Flows: Kawarau River

The Kawarau River is a vital waterway situated within New Zealand, flowing predominantly across the South Island basin. It forms an integral artery of the Lake Wakatipu Outflow drainage basin. Along its course, it navigates through or proximate to Gibbston, providing municipal drainage, agricultural sustenance, and freshwater habitat. Continuous hydrological surveillance at the Kawarau River at Chard Farm gauging station (coordinates: -45.0200°N, 168.9100°W) allows real-time quantification of upstream runoff, seasonal snowmelt pulses, and meteorological flood crests.

COUNTRY

New Zealand

REGION / STATE

South Island

CATCHMENT BASIN

Lake Wakatipu Outflow

GAUGING LOCATION

Gibbston

MONITORING STATIONS & GAUGES ALONG (2) UPSTREAM & DOWNSTREAM POINTS

Station / Location	REGION / STATE	Coordinates	Station ID	Action
Kawarau River at Chard Farm CURRENT GAUGE	South Island	-45.020°, 168.910°	NZ-OTA-065@-45.0200,168.9100	Viewing
Kawarau River at Roaring Meg	South Island	-45.005°, 169.060°	NZ-OTA-066@-45.0050,169.0600	View Level →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER LEVELS

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Levels: Kawarau River

What is the current Kawarau River water level today? ↓

As of the latest continuous telemetry report, the Kawarau River water level at Kawarau River at Chard Farm is measured at baseline with an observed discharge of 290 m³/s.

Where is the official monitoring gauge for Kawarau River located? ↓

The primary monitoring station for Kawarau River is located at coordinates -45.0200° Latitude and 168.9100° Longitude near Gibbston in South Island. Telemetry is recorded under site identifier NZ-OTA-065@-45.0200,168.9100.

What are normal water levels and flood stages for Kawarau River? ↓

Typical hydrological levels on the Kawarau River generally fluctuate within 130.0 m and 450.0 m. When stage exceeds these parameters, localized bank overflow and flood advisories may be triggered.

Where does the Kawarau River flow? ↓

The Kawarau River courses through New Zealand across the South Island basin, draining into the Lake Wakatipu Outflow. It provides critical natural drainage and freshwater replenishment across its catchment reach.