{{Other uses|River Lee (disambiguation)}} {{Use NZ English|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox river | name = Lee River | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | source1_location = Bryant Range | mouth = [[Wairoa River (Tasman)|Wairoa River]] | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-41.4054|173.1305|format=dms|type:river_region:NZ|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = New Zealand | length_km = 24 | source1_elevation = | mouth_elevation = | discharge1_avg = | basin_size = }} The '''Lee River''' lies in the northwest of New Zealand's [[South Island]] in [[Tasman District]]. It is both the inflow and outflow for the [[Waimea Dam]]. Lee Reserve, close to the Lee River's confluence with the [[Wairoa River (Tasman)|Wairoa River]], is a popular bathing spot.
==Geography== The Lee River runs north for {{cvt|24|km}},<ref name="WaterwayMap.org">{{cite web |title=Lee River |url= https://waterwaymap.org/river/Lee%20River%20001429435512/ |publisher=WaterwayMap.org |access-date=15 March 2026}}</ref> originating in the Bryant Range and flowing into the [[Wairoa River (Tasman)|Wairoa River]], just before the latter enters the [[Waimea Plains (Tasman)|Waimea Plains]].<ref>{{LINZ|id=26428|name=Lee River|access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref> The Lee River has nine tributaries, of which only three are named:<ref name="WaterwayMap.org" /> [[Roding River]] (true right),<ref>{{LINZ|id=38734 |name=Roding River |access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref> Long Gully (true right),<ref>{{LINZ|id=26816 |name=Long Gully|access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref> and Shaggery Gully (true left).<ref>{{LINZ|id=39730 |name=Shaggery Gully |access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref>
The Lee River is crossed by a road bridge upstream from its confluence with Roding River. This is the start of Mead Road, and the site is one of river flow sites operated by Tasman District.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lee at Meads Bridge |url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/environment/environmental-data/river-flow/lee-meadsbr |publisher=[[Tasman District]] |access-date=15 March 2026}}</ref>
==Swimming and water quality== Lee Reserve, some {{cvt|5|km}} upstream of [[Brightwater]], is one of the most popular river swimming sites in Tasman District, with 400 to 500 visitors during summer peak. The long-term water quality grade is "fair", as reported by [[LAWA (New Zealand)|LAWA]] in March 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lee River Reserve |url= https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/tasman-region/swimming/lee-river-at-reserve/swimsite |publisher=[[LAWA (New Zealand)|LAWA]] |access-date=15 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Extract: Best swimming holes in the top of the South Island |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/water-sports/300741154/extract-best-swimming-holes-in-the-top-of-the-south-island |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 January 2023}}</ref> During the 2016–17 summer, Lee River at Lee Reserve was one of seven freshwater swimming sites in Tasman District where water quality was measured at least weekly. Of the 286 samples taken at freshwater and marine sites during that summer, 16 samples exceeded faecal indicator bacteria levels, and 1 of those samples was from Lee River.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Tasman swimming spots some of the best in the country |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/95799301/tasman-swimming-spots-some-of-the-best-in-the-country |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=17 August 2017}}</ref>
==Waimea Dam== In November 2018, [[Tasman District Council]] voted 9 to 5 for the [[Waimea Dam]] to be built in the Lee Valley.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Tasman District Council gives Waimea dam project final nod |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/108983010/supporters-opponents-of-waimea-dam-make-lastminute-arguments-on-project |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[The Nelson Mail]] |date=30 November 2018}}</ref> The dam is designed to increase the flow rate in the Lee, Wairoa and [[Waimea River (Tasman)|Waimea river]]s during dry summer periods; when the two [[Ball valve|cone valve]]s are opened, downstream water levels can rapidly increase.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warning over rising river levels as Waimea Community Dam tests valves |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/513417/warning-over-rising-river-levels-as-waimea-community-dam-tests-valves |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=4 April 2024}}</ref> Waimea Dam formally opened on 7 February 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frethey |first1=Max |title=Lessons to be learnt as Waimea Dam opens after 24 years |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/541409/lessons-to-be-learnt-as-waimea-dam-opens-after-24-years |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=10 February 2025}}</ref> The dam is not publicly accessible, as roads leading to it are privately owned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hubbard |first1=Catherine |title=Public access to dam to be explored |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360632122/public-access-dam-be-explored |access-date=15 March 2026 |work=[[The Nelson Mail]] |date=28 March 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Tasman District}}
[[Category:Rivers of the Tasman District]] [[Category:Rivers of New Zealand]]