River and stream health

Wakapuaka River Temperature Survey

The Nelson City Council environmental monitoring has shown a decline in the overall water quality grades of the mid Wakapuaka and Lud River since 2007. This is summarised in the River and Stream Health Annual Monitoring Summary 2010.

Below is a summary of a survey of the latest summer water temperatures. The warmer temperatures are harmful to our waterways, their resident fish and invertebrate habitat, as well as affecting initiatives to improve water quality.

Download the Wakapuaka River Water Temperature Survey 2009 / 11 (264KB PDF)

Wakapuaka River

Annual monitoring summary

Download the complete 2010 annual summary for river and stream health. (1.2MB PDF)

Why we monitor water quality and ecosystem health

Rivers and streams have important natural and cultural values. They are also important resources for drinking water, recreational activities, managing storm water flushes and industrial use.

Discharges to rivers via storm water and run-off from land affects the quality of water and it’s suitability for human uses and biodiversity.

Key 2010 Results

Rural streams and rivers in the Whangamoa, upper Wakapuaka and upper Maitai catchments have maintained Excellent-Very Good (grades A and B).

Streams within the Nelson urban and lowland pastoral farming areas are degraded (grades D and E) and have not improved.