Freshwater

Effective systems to manage contaminant losses

A NIWA-led programme to develop effective, and culturally-attuned strategies for managing the freshwater gold clam.

Understanding and supporting the migration of fish through New Zealand's freshwater habitats

NIWA is developing a national river flow forecasting tool for New Zealand that aims to support and strengthen our planning for and response to extreme rainfall events.

We offer a range of ecological monitoring tools.

This project aims to increase our knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and their restoration, and apply this to degraded streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries.

A team of NIWA freshwater ecologists have completed their research on the use of biodegradable plant mats as life rafts to help reintroduce native aquatic plants to degraded freshwater lakes.

NIWA scientists have launched a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming mapping of freshwater environments.

Could bubbles and strobe lights stop pest fish swimming where they’re not wanted?

Learn more about gold clam life cycle

NIWA scientists are gathering data on freshwater mitigation across NZ to improve predictive models.

The invasive gold clam is native to eastern Asia and is widely established in North and South America and Europe. In New Zealand it was first discovered in the Waikato River in May 2023 at Bob's Landing, within Lake Karāpiro. It has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act.