Blue River (New Zealand)

{{Short description|River in the South Island of New Zealand}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Blue River

| image = Blue Pools (4674323289).jpg

| image_size = 270px

| image_caption = Blue River gorge at Blue Pools

| 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_caption = Route of the Blue River

| pushpin_map = New Zealand

| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the Blue RIver

| source1 = Eyetooth

| source1_location = Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana

| source1_elevation = {{convert|1600|m}}

| source1_coordinates= {{coord|-44.08581|169.13259}}

| mouth = Makarora River

| mouth_location =

| mouth_elevation = {{convert|320|m}}

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|-44.163105|169.270692|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = New Zealand

| length = {{convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_avg =

| basin_size =

| tributaries_left = Blue River North Branch

| tributaries_right = Blue River South Branch

}}

The Blue River is a small river in the South Island of New Zealand. It flows its entire length within the Mount Aspiring National Park, and although on the southeastern side of the main divide, the river is within the boundaries of the West Coast region for its entire length.

The headwaters are southeast of the main range of the Southern Alps near the mountain Eyetooth, with the smaller Blue River North Branch and South Branch joining the main Blue River later. Shortly before flowing into the Makarora River, the river passes through a narrow gorge.

At its confluence with the Makarora River, the aptly named Blue Pools are the destination of a popular{{cite web|url=http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/info/The-Blue-Pools-of-Haast-Pass_81.htm|title=101 Kiwi Must Do's: The Blue Pools of Haast Pass|publisher=NZ Automobile Association|accessdate=2015-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402185736/http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/info/The-Blue-Pools-of-Haast-Pass_81.htm|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}} short walk from {{NZlSH|6}}, with a bridge crossing the Blue River and providing good views upstream into the gorge and downstream over the river flowing into Makarora River.{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/blue-pools-track/|title=Blue Pools Track|publisher=Department of Conservation NZ|accessdate=2015-03-22}} The longer Blue Valley tramping track leads deep into the Blue River Valley and along most of the length of the river.