Home / NZ / Waikato / Waitawheta / Dickey Flat to Confluence / Waitawheta / Dickey Flat to Confluence, III+ (IV-)

Waitawheta / Dickey Flat to Confluence, III+ (IV-)

Sat, 2011-07-30 16:37 — jonathan
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
Waitawheta
Info
Portage?: 
No
Class: 
III+ (IV-)
Length: 
3.5km
Time: 
1-2 hours
Put in: 
Dickey Flat DOC Campsite
Take out: 
Karangahake Gorge Carpark
Shuttle: 
10km
Character: 
Scenic, moderate creek boating
Hot tip: 
Don't do the flat upper section or bring a playboat.
Upstream of: 
Ohinemuri / Karangahake Gorge, III, IV-IV+

If K gorge is up, Waitawheta is most likely up, even though the catchments of Karangahake Gorge and Waitawheta are different. Make sure to check the K gorge gauge.

First 1km is manageable class II, as the river steepens and the rapids disappears around the corner, the Waitawheta action begins. There's a short gorge, with two notable double drops. Make sure to eddy out above the gorge on river left and scout on river left too. First drop is fairly straight forward, second drop is usually run river right. There's plenty of time to eddy out between drops.

About 100m downstream there is a river-wide 3m drop with a small cave line on river right. Enter the cave if you dare. If in doubt, run the 3m drop as far right as you can.

A couple of class II-III boulder gardens follows, with large pools at the bottom. After, the river splits briefly into two. Both sides have been run, right side is steeper and slightly more difficult. Note: following rapid is runnable but sieved out. A swimmer wouldn't be too happy here.

Last major rapid is right before the confluence, the river swings from right to left between two bedroom sized boulders. Scout river right.

To get to the put in: From Karangahake Gorge Carpark head west towards Waihi for 5kms, take right turn onto Waitawheta Road. Go about 1km, and take a right onto Kennedy Road. Take another right turn onto Dickey Flat Road, and follow the gravel road to Dickey Flat DOC Camp Ground.
To get to the take out: From Paeroa Head 4-5km towards Waihi on State Highway 2. You'll see the big Karangahake Gorge Carpark, where Karangahake gorge and Waitawheta confluence meets.

Map: http://www.nztopomaps.com/-37.498287,175.782967,12,Hybrid,100
Flow: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/riverlevelsandrainfall/cgi-bin/hydwebse...

Fill: 
64%
Credits: 
Allen Yip
No incidents reported.

Disclaimer

Canoeing and kayaking are activities with inherent risks. Whitewater NZ takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this guide, nor for any risks or dangers that canoeists or kayakers may encounter. Any users should fully research the current river conditions and ensure they are fully equipped and have the appropriate skills, before embarking on any river trip, per Whitewater NZ Code of Practice. While every effort is made to ensure that details are correct, it is possible that this information is no longer accurate. If you find discrepancies or errors, please let us know at guide@rivers.org.nz.