 For the majority of its length it continues to meander south through the Ōpārara Basin before turning west to flow into the Tasman Sea near the small settlement of Ōpārara north of the township of Karamea.The river's color varies from tea-like shades of golden brown to red from the natural organic tannins released into the water by several of the plant species in the area.Leaves and other plant matter on the forest floor releases these tannins as they decompose - this eventually leeches into and stains the water, with the shade and intensity varying depending on rainfall and season.