Acheron River, Canterbury
Encyclopedia
The Acheron River is a river
in Canterbury, New Zealand
and flows from Lake Lyndon
south into the Rakaia River
.
Small deposits of coal are found near the river. In the 1870s, a proposal existed to extend the Whitecliffs Branch, a branch line
railway, through the Rakaia Gorge
to the Acheron River to access these coal deposits, and an 1880 Royal Commission on New Zealand's railway network
was in favour of this extension, but it never came to fruition.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Canterbury, New Zealand
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
and flows from Lake Lyndon
Lake Lyndon
Lake Lyndon is a small lake in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is near Porters Pass, and State Highway 73 from Springfield and Cass skirts the lake's northeastern shore...
south into the Rakaia River
Rakaia River
The Rakaia River is in the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand's South Island. The Rakaia River is one of the largest braided rivers in New Zealand...
.
Small deposits of coal are found near the river. In the 1870s, a proposal existed to extend the Whitecliffs Branch, a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway, through the Rakaia Gorge
Rakaia Gorge
The Rakaia Gorge is located on the Rakaia River in inland Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island.Like its neighbour, the Waimakariri River, the Rakaia runs through wide shingle beds for much of its length, but is forced through a narrow canyon as it approaches the Canterbury Plains.In the 1870s,...
to the Acheron River to access these coal deposits, and an 1880 Royal Commission on New Zealand's railway network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
was in favour of this extension, but it never came to fruition.
- Head: 43°18′48"S 171°41′22"E
- Confluence with Rakaia: 43°23′57.52"S 171°34′21.46"E