# Lee River

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For other uses, see [River Lee (disambiguation)](/source/River_Lee_(disambiguation)).

River in New Zealand

Lee River Location Country New Zealand Physical characteristics Source • location Bryant Range Mouth Wairoa River • coordinates 41°24′19″S 173°07′50″E / 41.4054°S 173.1305°E / -41.4054; 173.1305 Length 24 km (15 mi)

The **Lee River** lies in the northwest of New Zealand's [South Island](/source/South_Island) in [Tasman District](/source/Tasman_District). It is both the inflow and outflow for the [Waimea Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Waimea_Dam&action=edit&redlink=1). Lee Reserve, close to the Lee River's confluence with the [Wairoa River](/source/Wairoa_River_(Tasman)), is a popular bathing spot.

## Geography

The Lee River runs north for 24 km (15 mi),[1] originating in the Bryant Range and flowing into the [Wairoa River](/source/Wairoa_River_(Tasman)), just before the latter enters the [Waimea Plains](/source/Waimea_Plains_(Tasman)).[2] The Lee River has nine tributaries, of which only three are named:[1] [Roding River](/source/Roding_River) (true right),[3] Long Gully (true right),[4] and Shaggery Gully (true left).[5]

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.[6]

## Swimming and water quality

Lee Reserve, some 5 km (3.1 mi) upstream of [Brightwater](/source/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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LAWA_(New_Zealand)&action=edit&redlink=1) in March 2026.[7][8] 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.[9]

## Waimea Dam

In November 2018, [Tasman District Council](/source/Tasman_District_Council) voted 9 to 5 for the [Waimea Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Waimea_Dam&action=edit&redlink=1) to be built in the Lee Valley.[10] The dam is designed to increase the flow rate in the Lee, Wairoa and [Waimea rivers](/source/Waimea_River_(Tasman)) during dry summer periods; when the two [cone valves](/source/Ball_valve) are opened, downstream water levels can rapidly increase.[11] Waimea Dam formally opened on 7 February 2025.[12] The dam is not publicly accessible, as roads leading to it are privately owned.[13]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WaterwayMap.org_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WaterwayMap.org_1-1) ["Lee River"](https://waterwaymap.org/river/Lee%20River%20001429435512/). WaterwayMap.org. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Place name detail: Lee River"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/26428). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 16 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Place name detail: Roding River"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/38734). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 16 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Place name detail: Long Gully"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/26816). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 16 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Place name detail: Shaggery Gully"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/39730). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 16 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Lee at Meads Bridge"](https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/environment/environmental-data/river-flow/lee-meadsbr). [Tasman District](/source/Tasman_District). Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Lee River Reserve"](https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/tasman-region/swimming/lee-river-at-reserve/swimsite). [LAWA](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LAWA_(New_Zealand)&action=edit&redlink=1). Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Extract: Best swimming holes in the top of the South Island"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/water-sports/300741154/extract-best-swimming-holes-in-the-top-of-the-south-island). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Sivignon, Cherie (17 August 2017). ["Tasman swimming spots some of the best in the country"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/95799301/tasman-swimming-spots-some-of-the-best-in-the-country). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sivignon, Cherie (30 November 2018). ["Tasman District Council gives Waimea dam project final nod"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/108983010/supporters-opponents-of-waimea-dam-make-lastminute-arguments-on-project). *[The Nelson Mail](/source/The_Nelson_Mail)*. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Warning over rising river levels as Waimea Community Dam tests valves"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/513417/warning-over-rising-river-levels-as-waimea-community-dam-tests-valves). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Frethey, Max (10 February 2025). ["Lessons to be learnt as Waimea Dam opens after 24 years"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/541409/lessons-to-be-learnt-as-waimea-dam-opens-after-24-years). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hubbard, Catherine (28 March 2025). ["Public access to dam to be explored"](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360632122/public-access-dam-be-explored). *[The Nelson Mail](/source/The_Nelson_Mail)*. Retrieved 15 March 2026.

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lee River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_River) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_River?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.