GAUGE STATION NZ

Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace Water Level & Telemetry

Waikato River • STATION ID: NZ-WKO-003@-37.9250,175.5450 • North Island• New Zealand

● NORMAL FLOW

Water Level (STAGE)

13.02 m

Normal Band: 130.0 – 430.0 m

Discharge / Flow

130 m³/s

Historical Peak: 890 m³/s

Elevation

— ft

Elevation above sea level

VERIFIED TELEMETRY • SOURCE: LAWA & NIWA • GAUGE ID: NZ-WKO-003@-37.9250,175.5450 • COORD: -37.925°, 175.545°

OBSERVED: Oct 3, 2026, 10:49 AM

Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace Where It Flows & Gauge Station

HYDROGRAPHIC MAP & GAUGING LOCATION

Start (Source)──➔5 Station Reach──➔End (Mouth)

PRECIPITATION RADAR

Water Level & Flow Hydrograph (Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace)

WATER LEVEL & FLOW HYDROGRAPH: RIVER DISCHARGE (m³/s)

CURRENT READING: 130.22 m³/s

Recorded Telemetry Normal Band

Continuous Observations

GEOGRAPHIC COURSE & HYDROLOGICAL REACH

Where It Flows: Waikato River

The Waikato River is a vital waterway situated within New Zealand, flowing predominantly across the North Island basin. It forms an integral artery of the Waikato Catchment drainage basin. Along its course, it navigates through or proximate to Hamilton, providing municipal drainage, agricultural sustenance, and freshwater habitat. Continuous hydrological surveillance at the Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace gauging station (coordinates: -37.9250°N, 175.5450°W) allows real-time quantification of upstream runoff, seasonal snowmelt pulses, and meteorological flood crests.

COUNTRY

New Zealand

REGION / STATE

North Island

CATCHMENT BASIN

Waikato Catchment

GAUGING LOCATION

Hamilton

MONITORING STATIONS & GAUGES ALONG (5) UPSTREAM & DOWNSTREAM POINTS

Station / Location	REGION / STATE	Coordinates	Station ID	Action
Waikato River at Hamilton	North Island	-37.787°, 175.279°	NZ-WKO-001@-37.7870,175.2793	View Level →
Waikato River at Taupō Gates	North Island	-38.682°, 176.071°	NZ-WKO-002@-38.6820,176.0710	View Level →
Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace CURRENT GAUGE	North Island	-37.925°, 175.545°	NZ-WKO-003@-37.9250,175.5450	Viewing
Waikato River at Ngaruawahia	North Island	-37.668°, 175.148°	NZ-WKO-004@-37.6680,175.1480	View Level →
Waikato River at Mercer	North Island	-37.280°, 175.051°	NZ-WKO-005@-37.2800,175.0510	View Level →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER LEVELS

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Levels: Waikato River

What is the current Waikato River water level today? ↓

As of the latest continuous telemetry report, the Waikato River water level at Waikato River at Karapiro Tailrace is measured at baseline with an observed discharge of 130 m³/s.

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

The primary monitoring station for Waikato River is located at coordinates -37.9250° Latitude and 175.5450° Longitude near Hamilton in North Island. Telemetry is recorded under site identifier NZ-WKO-003@-37.9250,175.5450.

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

Typical hydrological levels on the Waikato River generally fluctuate within 130.0 m and 430.0 m. When stage exceeds these parameters, localized bank overflow and flood advisories may be triggered.

Where does the Waikato River flow? ↓

The Waikato River courses through New Zealand across the North Island basin, draining into the Waikato Catchment. It provides critical natural drainage and freshwater replenishment across its catchment reach.