Freshwater quality

Report: Trends analysis for selected indicators of Waikato River health and wellbeing 2010-2019

A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.

Environmental monitoring technician Patrick Butler has spent hours travelling between the upper and lower reaches of Canterbury’s Waimakariri and Hurunui Rivers. His mission – river water quality sampling.

Susan Pepperell looks at some of the tough decisions looming around access to freshwater and how science is helping with solutions.

A web application tool to explore monitoring data and model predictions related to stream and estuary eutrophication

A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

Te Nehenehenui (previously Maniapoto Māori Trust board) and NIWA are working collaboratively to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and participate in the assessment of their freshwater according to their values.

Eutrophication occurs when nutrients in streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries cause excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae (primary producers).

Constructed wetlands are a water quality restoration tool that can reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes such as E. coli.

The SHMAK method for rubbish involves collecting and identifying all the rubbish (litter) in the stream and on the stream banks.

The SHMAK visual habitat assessment gives your stream a score that you can use to assess changes over time or compare streams.

Two methods for describing streambed composition: the visual assessment method is quicker while the Wolman walk is more accurate.