Photo: Blue Pukaki River Canterbury New Zealand

The Pukaki River in Canterbury, New Zealand is a unique light blue color as it flows towards Lake Benmore.

The beautiful blue color of the Pukaki River flows through the Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury, New Zealand. Once the control gates are opened at the hydroelectric station, the water rushes through creating a white foam on the surface of the river eventually calming down to show the blue coloring again.In the beginning, the Pukaki River flowed from the south end of Lake Pukaki before meeting up with the Tekapo River and then onward into the north end of Lake Benmore. Changes were made and now all the blue colored water from Lake Pukaki bypasses through a canal which is fed through three hydroelectric stations before making its way into Lake Benmore.You can see how close the Pukaki River flows near the top of the riverbed and there has been times when the water will reach its maximum height and overflow. It will level itself out and continue on its regular canal path. Roadways along either side of the river sit very close to the water's edge and if the canal is in a state where it overflows, these roads would be closed. ... continue below the picture...

... The blue hues that are seen in the Pukaki River are due to the fact that the lakes where the water originates from was created by glaciers. The Pukaki River is a beautiful part of the landscape of Canterbury, New Zealand and as you drive around town, you can not miss the unique hues separating the landscape.Pukaki River (Canal) flowing towards Lake Benmore, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand.