Taylor River Related Aquifers

Associated with the Taylor River are two groundwater systems. A shallow aquifer known as the Taylor River Gravels Aquifer is linked to channel flow.

Underlying this to depths of around 100 metres is the so-called Taylor Fan Aquifer.

However, neither is particularly important in terms of the volume of groundwater supplied relative to other local aquifers. Due to the complex geology and faulting in this area, we still don't have a complete picture of groundwater flow patterns.

The photograph shows the Taylor River flowing at the Borough Weir site where Marlborough District Council operates a flow measurement site.

Historically, the Taylor River was the source of drinking water for Blenheim, prior to the use of wells within the urban area.

Interestingly, the oldest groundwater in New Zealand originates from an 80 metre deep well tapping the Taylor Fan Aquifer. It fell as rain and has been underground for almost 40,000 years.