{{Short description|River in Otago, New Zealand}} {{For|the suburb of [[Upper Hutt]], New Zealand|Silverstream}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox river | name = Silver Stream | native_name = {{native name|mi|Whakaehu}}<ref name="place names">''[http://www.puketeraki.co.nz/sites/default/files/Place%20names_0.pdf Place names] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426090949/http://www.puketeraki.co.nz/sites/default/files/Place%20names_0.pdf |date=2012-04-26 }}'' on Kāti Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki website, viewed 2012-01-04</ref> | name_other = | name_etymology = | nickname = <!---------------------- IMAGE--> | image = Silverstream Whare Flat postcard.jpg | image_size = 270px | image_caption = Silver Stream River at Whare Flat. | image_alt = <!---------------------- MAPS --> | map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|type=line|plain=yes|zoom=10|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=270|stroke-color=#0000ff|stroke-width=2}} | map_size = 270 | map_caption = Route of the Silver Stream | map_alt = | pushpin_map = New Zealand#New Zealand South Island | pushpin_map_size = 270 | pushpin_map_caption= Mouth of Silver Stream | pushpin_map_alt = <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[New Zealand]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of New Zealand|region]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Otago]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of New Zealand|District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Dunedin]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = {{convert|24|km|mi}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = 0.3 cumecs | discharge1_max = 130 cumecs <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = [[Silverpeaks]] | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= <!-- {{Coord|...}} --> | source1_elevation = | mouth = [[Taieri River]] | mouth_location = {{convert|2|km|mi}} north of [[Allanton, New Zealand|Allanton]] | mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|-45.889661|170.269486|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = [[Taieri River]] | basin_size = | basin_landmarks = | basin_population = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | waterbodies = | waterfalls = | bridges = | ports = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Silver Stream''' ({{Langx|mi|Whakaehu}}) (sometimes written '''Silverstream''') is a small river flowing close to the town of [[Mosgiel]] in [[Otago]], New Zealand.<ref>{{LINZ|12923|Silver Stream|2010-06-03}}</ref>
The Silver Stream rises in the [[Silverpeaks]] hills north of [[Dunedin]], on the southern slope of [[Silverpeaks|Silver Peak]] itself, and flows initially southwards through a steep-sided forested valley which widens to become [[Whare Flat]], before turning west at the eastern edge of the [[Taieri Plains]] at the foot of Three Mile Hill, close to [[Invermay Research Station]]. It continues in a southwesterly direction past the northern edge of Mosgiel, reaching the [[Taieri River]] two kilometres north of [[Allanton, New Zealand|Allanton]]. Its total length is about {{convert|30|km|mi}}.
Silver Stream is the site of a historic [[Aqueduct (water supply)|water race]]. The Silver Stream Water Race was built between 1877 and 1881, and consisted of nearly {{convert|30|km|mi}} of open races, sluices, tunnels, and weirs. The race began at a weir high on the river and traversed the sides of [[Swampy Summit]] and [[Flagstaff, Otago|Flagstaff]] before emptying into a reservoir in [[Kaikorai Valley]]. Despite efforts to improve the race with the installation of a pump in 1920, it was not successful; problems with subsidence led to much of the race being enclosed in pipe, and the race was finally abandoned in the 1960s.<ref name="Race">"[http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/272052/Silver-Stream-Track-Brochure.pdf The Silver Stream Water Race Tracks]", ''Dunedin City Council''. Retrieved 3 July 2018.</ref>
The river's flow is generally small (at below one cumec),<ref>[https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/water/water-monitoring-and-alerts/taieri/silver-stream-at-gordon-road]", ''Otago Regional Council''. Retrieved 3 July 2018.</ref> but it has a history of flooding. This has been largely remedied by the artificial raising of its banks, especially close to Mosgiel. In mid-2006, after heavy rain, the Silver Stream flooded at some points, but did not flood on the part of the bank running close to the town.
Several walking routes are located close to or in the valley of the Silver Stream, most of which are aimed at more experienced trampers.<ref>"[http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/walking-tracks/silverstream-walks Silverstream walks]", ''Dunedin City Council''. Retrieved 3 July 2018.</ref><ref name="Race"/>
Silverstream School and Silverstream Drive in Mosgiel are named for the river.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Taieri}}
[[Category:Rivers of Otago]] [[Category:Mosgiel]] [[Category:Rivers of New Zealand]] [[Category:Taieri River]]