Selwyn River

The Selwyn River/Waikirikiri catchment extends from the eastern foothills of the Southern Alps across the Canterbury Plains to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. The upper catchment includes high-country streams, while lower reaches include spring-fed tributaries and braided river channels. Through the middle reaches, the river is characterised by losing reaches where surface flows commonly cease, before re-emerging downgradient as gaining, spring-fed flows. During winter months, continuous hill-fed contributions typically sustain flow through these middle reaches. The catchment supports intensive agriculture, growing towns, and habitats for native fish and birds.