Takaka River (II or III) powerhouse to the bridge

This is a roadside run, which is dam controlled and very popular with all paddlers.

Access

Leave a car (or bikes) at the new road bridge on the Cobb valley road and drive up to the power station. Easiest to get in on the left fork assuming the turbines are all running.


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River character

A beautiful mountain bush river with numerous small rapids, pools and play waves. The road is occasionally accessible from the river and all rapids are portageable in moderate flows.

Take a look at the The hardshell kayaker info on Riverguide.co.nz

Gauge

Takaka at Harwoods

Kayakers like the higher flows, but it is still a good packraft when the water is lower.

  • 10 cumecs: Lowest reasonable packrafting flow, grade II, 1-2hrs of paddling
  • 20 cumecs: Grade III pool-drop style paddling, but a bit scrapey still
  • 40 cumecs: Grade III+ Kayakers call it a great play run, with lots of features.

Packrafting further upstream?

Take a look at what the kayakers say…

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