Home / Forums / Access, Touring & Hazards / Mangawhero

Mangawhero

Submitted by daanjim on Sat, 2007-08-11 16:48.

Just wondering if anyone has any information on the Mangawhero over by ohakune, like how much water is good and when is it to high. also wondering if anyone has info on the mangaturuturu and waimario.

‹ Mokihinui South Branch Tree in Kaituna ›
boyd1's picture
boyd1 on Sun, 2010-06-13 17:49

Mangawhero River June 2010

Put in about 300m on Makotuku river prior to confluence with Mangawhero. Log jams before confluence.

At confluence some good G3 rapids with some boulder gardens G3+ easing to G2 rapids at Banana Bridge on SH. (2hrs)

Another 2 hours flatwater/G2 to takeout at Ararawa stream confluence on SH.

Flow was 8-9 cumecs. Imagine 8-20 all good.

A big thanks to local farmers who allowed us to have access to land and gave us ideas on possible putins and takeouts.

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/river-heights-and-rainfall/detail?xmp=MPAf&s...

marke's picture
marke on Wed, 2007-08-29 10:30

Hey Daan,
I spent a bit of time scouting out the Upper Mangawhero a couple of winters back. Thats the section upstream of Ohakune. Some pretty cool drops and rapids up there but quite a few portages too including a massive 20+ meter waterfall just 500m or so down from the 9km bridge on the mountain road. From that down, there is nothing steep and not really worth doing. The cleanest little waterfall we ran was just upstream of the 9km bridge, (if it wasn't for thick scrub you coukld see it from the road) The only section really worth doing, with some portaging is from the DoC track carpark to that big waterfall. You need a healthy flow, we did it while it was still pissing down. Theres a gauge just opposite the doc centre in Kune and we did it at about 700mm(I think)

We also paddled down through town and about half way to Raetihi. A few trees to watch out for and only a couple of good rapids.

Hope this helps,
Have fun.
Mark

alan.bell's picture
alan.bell on Mon, 2007-08-20 14:43

Just for info - Waimarino joins the Makatote at same place as Manganui a te ao but on the opposite side. The Mangawhero is not in tis catchment and begins somewhere on the eastern side of the mountain.

The Makatote and Waimarino "put-in" are included in Graham Charles's WW Guide as is the Manganui a te ao.

The Mangawhero is not in the guide book as it is not rated highly. However there are a number of good grade2-3 runs and several serious waterfalls on this river.

We did a 6-hour trip from Pakihi Rd bridge (off road between Ohakune and raetihi) a couple of years ago. Grade 2-3 but needs a bit of rain.

cc's picture
cc on Sun, 2007-08-12 07:47

Hi, paddled the Waimario few years back, hopped in at Erua, down dirt road. River was flat then dropped into some easy rock gardens before steepening up into a steep boulder choked section. Water level was low. River then flows into the confluence of 2 other rivers (Mangawhero / Makatoke - can not remember da names - but you could see road almost) then leads into the Manganui-a-teo. It is this section that care with flow should be taken as it is totally committing from an in-escapable perspective. Very long gorge, virtical cliffs, narrow.

At low flows the rapids are easy G3, some boulder choked, occasional log, but navigable (suggest creek boat!). Pool, rapid, pool rapid. Make sure you take spare paddles, 1 each. Get on the river early as it is long trip. Keep an eye out for power lines 2/3rds way down, gives an idea of progress. Higher flows (but not flood) should be fine. Takeout obvious - first bridge over the river.