Lakes

Latest news

Stepping into the river

Feature story

11 June 2017

NIWA discusses, in depth, this year's most asked question—what is happening to our fresh waterways?

NIWA completes first bathymetric mapping of Lake Tekapo

Media Release

17 March 2016

NIWA researchers have spent part of the last month keeping a close eye on the bottom of Lake Tekapo to find out what it looks like and what is going on below the lake bed.

Understanding the factors that influence mercury levels in lake trout in geothermal regions

23 September 2014

A NIWA study has shown that environmental factors influence the level of mercury in fish and other organisms in lakes in New Zealand's North Island geothermal area

Lake assessment tool earns high honour for NIWA scientist

21 October 2011

John Clayton, a principal scientist in the fields of aquatic biodiversity and biosecurity based at NIWA's Hamilton office, has won a 2011 Kudos award for his leading role in the development of LakeSPI (Lake Submerged Plant Indicators).

Our work

Mercury biomagnification in three geothermally-influenced lakes differing in chemistry and algal biomass

This research project aimed to understand the causes behind differences in mercury in trout and other organisms in the Bay of Plenty/Te Arawa lakes—in particular what features of each lake explain why mercury in trout is higher in some lakes than in other lakes.

Recovering plants for reintroduction to Lake Ōmāpere

NIWA recently hosted visitors from Northland to view cultivated plants from Lake Ōmāpere that are now ‘extinct in the wild’, and discussed plans for their reintroduction to the lake in the future.

Mapping our freshwater biodiversity

The ability to properly manage our freshwater resources requires a solid understanding of the flora and fauna which live in and interact with them.

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems

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

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems

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

The search for a long-lost plant to bring life back to our coastal lakes

The plight of some coastal lakes in Canterbury is well-known. Many were once abundant mahinga kai site for local Māori, some are now the most polluted waterbodies in the country.

Freshwater Update 80, March 2019

Freshwater Update 80 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles that cross a broad spectrum of freshwater research. This edition has articles about the sources of plastics in our waterways, the discovery of long-lost lake plant species and a breakthrough in research about freshwater mussels/kākahi.

Lake Rotoiti catfish cull

A NIWA research programme—Control of Invasive Fish—is working with Bay of Plenty Regional Council this year to create novel tools to support the catfish control programme.

Freshwater Update 79, November 2018

Freshwater Update 79 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from NIWA working with NASA; restoring a stream catchment in Kaikōura; looking after urban water; keeping soil and reducing sedimentation; to culling catfish.

The value of archived biological collections: understanding the lake snow invasion

The diatom (Lindavia intermedia) that causes lake snow—nuisance slime in clean-water lakes that ruins angling and can block water intakes—was apparently introduced to New Zealand shortly before 2002, but was widespread by 2005. To obtain a clearer picture of when this diatom arrived in New Zealand, Otago Regional Council (ORC) commissioned NIWA to search archived diatom data and collections.

Freshwater Update 78, September 2018

Freshwater Update 78 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles that cross a broad spectrum of freshwater research, from archives to aquifers, periphyton guidance, geo-engineering and swimmability.

A clearer look at Te Waikoropupū Springs

Te Waikoropupū Springs near Takaka are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold-water springs in the Southern Hemisphere, and are nationally and internationally valued for their remarkable colour and clarity. NIWA has recently finished a project with Tasman District Council (TDC) that has estimated the current average visual clarity to be around 76 m.

Stepping into the river

Feature story

11 June 2017

NIWA discusses, in depth, this year's most asked question—what is happening to our fresh waterways?

Monitoring and maintenance of kōura

Once you have identified the problem, and applied the necessary tools for restoring kōura to your stream, the next phase of your project is to monitor the site to see whether restoration works.

Applying the right tools to restore kōura to lakes and streams

The tools available for restoring kōura to lakes and streams depend on what is causing kōura to decline.

Why are kōura rare or absent in your waterway?

Habitat and biological factors factors affect why kōura rare or absent in your waterway.

Are kōura present in your waterway?

First, determine if kōura should be present in your stream.

Identifying the problem for kōura

Identifying the factors causing kōura numbers to decline will allow you to determine which restoration tools you need to employ.

Guide to restoring kōura (freshwater crayfish) in lakes, rivers and streams

Habitat degradation and the introduction of exotic plant and fish species have adversely affected kōura populations throughout New Zealand. However, there are a number of measures that we can use to restore kōura populations in lakes, rivers and streams.

Launch at lake for weed management plan

Forty dignitaries and agency representatives gathered at Lake Karāpiro to officially launch a management plan for hornwort prepared for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and a stakeholder group by NIWA. The plan is aimed at reducing the nuisance impacts of the submerged weed hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) at this world-renown aquatic sporting venue. NIWA worked collaboratively with LINZ, Waikato Regional Council, Waipa District Council, local iwi and Mercury in developing lake weed management goals and objectives for the next ten years.

Implications of climate change for New Zealand’s freshwaters

Climate change is one of the defining societal and environmental challenges of the 21st century, for New Zealand and the planet.

Freshwater Update 71, November 2016

Freshwater Update 71 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries centre, including stories about: the implications of climate change on our freshwater; blocking nature to nuture a lake ecosystem; nine new freshwater and estuaries research programmes; and all about a co-development workshop for freshwaters.