| Whangaehu River | |
|---|---|
 The State Highway 49 bridge at Tangiwai | |
 | |
| Etymology | Maori meaning "muddy / murky harbour" |
| Native name | Whangaehu (Māori) |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Crater lake |
| • location | Mount Ruapehu |
| • coordinates | 39°17′2″S 175°33′50″E / 39.28389°S 175.56389°E |
| • elevation | 2,550 metres (8,370 ft) |
| Mouth | Tasman Sea |
• coordinates | 40°2′28″S 175°6′0″E / 40.04111°S 175.10000°E |
• elevation | Sea level |
| Length | 161 kilometres (100 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • right | Wahianoa River, Mangawhero River |
The Whangaehu River is a large river in central North Island of New Zealand. Its headwaters are the crater lake of Mount Ruapehu on the central plateau, and it flows into the Tasman Sea eight kilometres southeast of Whanganui. Due to the high acidity of the water coming from the crater lake, water is not diverted from the headwaters for the Tongariro Power Scheme. Instead, it bypasses the Waihianoa Aqueduct via a ford.