OFFICIAL HYDROGRAPHIC OBSERVATION REPORT NZ

Rakaia River Water Level & Telemetry

Gauge Station: Rakaia River at Fighting Hill • South Island• New Zealand

● NORMAL FLOW

Water Level (STAGE)

34.50 m

Normal Band: 110.0 – 580.0 m

Discharge / Flow

345 m³/s

Historical Peak: 4,800 m³/s

Elevation

— ft

Elevation above sea level

VERIFIED TELEMETRY • SOURCE: LAWA & NIWA • GAUGE ID: NZ-CAN-076@-43.4350,171.7400 • COORD: -43.435°, 171.740°

OBSERVED: Oct 1, 2026, 7:25 PM

Rakaia River Where It Flows & Gauge Station

HYDROGRAPHIC MAP & GAUGING LOCATION

PRECIPITATION RADAR

GEOGRAPHIC COURSE & HYDROLOGICAL REACH

Where It Flows: Rakaia River

The Rakaia River is a vital waterway situated within New Zealand, flowing predominantly across the South Island basin. It forms an integral artery of the Rakaia Braided Basin drainage basin. Along its course, it navigates through or proximate to Windwhistle, providing municipal drainage, agricultural sustenance, and freshwater habitat. Continuous hydrological surveillance at the Rakaia River at Fighting Hill gauging station (coordinates: -43.4350°N, 171.7400°W) allows real-time quantification of upstream runoff, seasonal snowmelt pulses, and meteorological flood crests.

COUNTRY

New Zealand

REGION / STATE

South Island

CATCHMENT BASIN

Rakaia Braided Basin

GAUGING LOCATION

Windwhistle

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

Station / Location	REGION / STATE	Coordinates	Station ID	Action
Rakaia River at Fighting Hill CURRENT GAUGE	South Island	-43.435°, 171.740°	NZ-CAN-076@-43.4350,171.7400	Viewing
Rakaia River at State Highway 1 Bridge	South Island	-43.750°, 172.020°	NZ-CAN-077@-43.7500,172.0200	View Level →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER LEVELS

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Levels: Rakaia River

What is the current Rakaia River water level today? ↓

As of the latest continuous telemetry report, the Rakaia River water level at Rakaia River at Fighting Hill is measured at baseline with an observed discharge of 345 m³/s.

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

The primary monitoring station for Rakaia River is located at coordinates -43.4350° Latitude and 171.7400° Longitude near Windwhistle in South Island. Telemetry is recorded under site identifier NZ-CAN-076@-43.4350,171.7400.

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

Typical hydrological levels on the Rakaia River generally fluctuate within 110.0 m and 580.0 m. When stage exceeds these parameters, localized bank overflow and flood advisories may be triggered.

Where does the Rakaia River flow? ↓

The Rakaia River courses through New Zealand across the South Island basin, draining into the Rakaia Braided Basin. It provides critical natural drainage and freshwater replenishment across its catchment reach.