Leith Saddle

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

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Leith Saddle is a saddle between the sources of the Water of Leith and the Waitati River, approximately halfway between Dunedin's northern suburb of Pine Hill and the outlying settlement of Waitati. At 380m[https://www.trailforks.com/trails/leith-saddle-track-hiking-only/ Leith Saddle Track] on trail forks.com website, viewed 2025-01-14 the saddle is the highest point of Dunedin-Waitati Highway, and therefore of State Highway 1 in the South Island. It traverses a fragile alpine forest. Proposed road works to straighten a dangerous corner here conflict with conservation values. Water supply pipelines, and tramping and cycling routes also converge at the saddle.

The Water of Leith's source is 100 metres to the south of Leith Saddle, at a height of 380 metres above sea level.Hamel, A. (2008). Dunedin tracks and trails. Dunedin: Silver Peaks Press.

The Leith Saddle Track is a 3.5 hour climb through native cloud forest to Swampy Spur and Swampy Summit with links to other walkways in the Silverpeaks and Dunedin's hills.[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/coastal-otago/leith-saddle-track/ Leith Saddle Track] on New Zealand Department of Conservation website, retrieved 2009-05-25

The highway has an at-grade intersection at the Leith Saddle summit with Leith Valley Road and Waitati Valley Road. Both have low motor vehicle volumes and have metalled surfaces, making them attractive to cyclists.Dr Murray Skeaff quoted in [http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/54140/environmental-issues-dominate-hearings Environmental issues dominate hearings] on Otago Daily Times website, retrieved 2009-05-25

Transit New Zealand signalled a long term intention in 2004 to realign SH1 in the vicinity of Leith Saddle; construction would require removal of some old-growth forest.

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The forest here features a species of Libocedrus, variously called Pahautea, Kaikawaka or New Zealand cedar, Libocedrus bidwillii, which is unusual in this region of New Zealand.[http://www.orokonui.org.nz/pahautea_feature.html Wildlife Feature] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528060730/http://www.orokonui.org.nz/pahautea_feature.html |date=2009-05-28 }} on Orokonui Ecosanctuary website, retrieved 2009-06-10

Transit New Zealand stated in 2004 that Leith Saddle has 250% more accidents than average for the New Zealand state highway network and that the accident rate increased by 50% in the ten years to 2004.Transit New Zealand leaflet Leith Saddle Realignment, 2004 They said realignment here would reduce traffic delays, fuel use, crashes, and emissions of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

A contour pipeline running southbound over the saddle from several tributaries of the Waitati River feeds two of Dunedin's water supply reservoirs in Leith Valley: Ross Creek Reservoir and Sullivans Dam{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}. Treated, fluoridated water is transmitted northwards from Dunedin's municipal water system via a new pipeline to the rural settlements of Waitati, Warrington and Seacliff.[http://blueskin-co-nz.blogspot.com/2009/04/news-water-and-fluoride-flows-through.html Water (and fluoride) flows through 'Big Pipe'] on blueskin.co.nz website, retrieved 2009-05-25