River Flows and Rainfall
| Canterbury | River Flow | Rainfall |
| Tasman | River Flow | Rainfall |
| West Coast | River Flow | Rainfall |
| Otago | River Flow | Rainfall |
| Marlborough | River Flow | Rainfall |
Planning
Didymo – Don’t let this invasive pest infect more rivers. Clean, check and dry your gear when moving between rivers.
MetService – Rain radar and forecast for the Canterbury region.
Whitewater NZ – Descriptions and information about white water runs all over NZ.
Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers – Fantastic PDF listing all runs and suitable flow rates in the Canterbury region.
White Water Grading
International Scale of River Difficulty
Grade 1: Easy Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight.
Grade 2: Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional manoeuvring may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily avoided by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
Grade 3: Moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and can swamp an open canoe. Complex manoeuvres in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided.
Grade 4: Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. May feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast manoeuvres under pressure. May require “must make” moves above dangerous hazards.