Freshwater and Estuaries management tools

Some of the useful methods, guidelines and modelling tools we've developed to assist with management of freshwaters.

Ecological monitoring

We offer a range of ecological monitoring tools.

Freshwater ID guides

These guides are designed for rapid identification of freshwater flora and fauna for use in biomonitoring.

Biosecurity tools

We have both weed and fish risk assessment models.

Publications for water managers

A set of references and links useful for Water Managers.

Environmental flow tools

Tools and software to assist with determining and managing environmental water flows.

Freshwater fish calendars

NIWA's publication "Freshwater Fish Spawning and Migration Periods" is designed to help people working near freshwater to minimise effects of their work on freshwater fish species.

Aquatic invertebrate traits database

Approximately 500 Aquatic invertebrate taxa are described in this database, made available to assist with the identification of specimens.

Fish Passage Assessment Tool

The Fish Passage Assessment Tool has been developed to provide an easy to use, practical tool for recording instream structures and assessing their likely impact on fish movements and river connectivity.

Managing mangrove expansion

This manual aims to provide the guidance needed to manage mangrove expansion, while maintaining the ecological integrity of estuaries and harbours.

Restoration tools

More about our restoration tools.

Sediment tools

More information about our sediment tools.

Water quality tools

Find out more about our water quality tools.

River Environment Classification

REC2 (River Environment Classification, v2.0) 

The River Environment Classification (REC) is a database of catchment spatial attributes, summarised for every segment in New Zealand's network of rivers. The attributes were compiled for the purposes of river classification, while the river network description has been used to underpin models.

Research subject: BiodiversityEcosystemsRivers