Lakes

Latest news

New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

20 July 2021

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.

The future shape of water

Feature story

11 February 2021

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

Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release

15 September 2020

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.

Scientists nurturing only plant of its kind

Media Release

11 June 2020

For more than 20 years NIWA scientists have been nurturing three plants that are the only examples of their kind in existence.

Our work

Freshwater bioremediation using native mussels - focussed on shallow eutrophic lakes

Our project was inspired by the observation of abundant mussel populations in small shallow lakes with excellent water quality. This observation made us wonder if freshwater mussels could be part of the restoration process in flipped lakes. The project aim was to harness the filter-feeding capacity of native freshwater mussels on rafts to assist in lake restoration.

Recovering plants for reintroduction to Lake Ōmāpere

Three plants of an endemic submerged quillwort (Isoëtes) were recovered from Lake Ōmāpere by NIWA in 1998, prior to the lake weed (Egeria densa) dying off and the lake switching into an algal dominated turbid state. No further isoëtes plants have been observed in the lake since that time.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and NIWA worked collaboratively during 2018-19 to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and participate in the assessment of their freshwater according to their values.

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.

Latest videos

Rotorua Te Arawa lakes

NIWA scientists jump overboard to check out the health the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes. The work is part of NIWA's national LakeSPI programme—an ecological health check for lakes throughout New Zealand.
Underwater research to protect and maintain New Zealand's freshwater resources.

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.

Bottom lining for the control of submerged lake weeds

Bottom lining is the installation of a flexible covering over the top of beds of aquatic weeds, similar to using weed matting in home gardens. The lining is held in place by weights (e.g., rocks or sandbags) or by pinning. This control method is also called ‘benthic barriers’.

Freshwater bioremediation using native mussels - focussed on shallow eutrophic lakes

New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

Media Release

20 July 2021

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.

The Eutrophication Explorer Tool

Eutrophication refers to increasing levels of plant nutrients in a water body, and increasing risks that algae and aquatic plants will growth to nuisance levels and degrade water quality.

The future shape of water

Feature story

11 February 2021

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

New freshwater species programme

A new programme at NIWA will focus on finding ways to protect our freshwater species now and in the future.

Updated freshwater pests guide out now

NIWA has updated its guide to freshwater pests for the first time since 2013.

Staff profile: Dr Simon Woodward

In this edition we welcome Dr Simon Woodward to the team and find out how he came to work at NIWA.

Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release

15 September 2020

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.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

To prepare for changes in climate, our freshwater and oceans decision-makers need information on species vulnerability to climate change.

Constructed wetland guidelines

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

Scientists nurturing only plant of its kind

Media Release

11 June 2020

For more than 20 years NIWA scientists have been nurturing three plants that are the only examples of their kind in existence.

Can mussels help to restore our lakes?

A project to explore whether kākahi (native freshwater mussels) can be used to help clean up New Zealand lakes has taken a step forward, with the launch of bioremediation rafts in Lake Ohinewai in the Waikato.

We don’t know much about lakes and climate change, says researcher

Media Release

5 March 2020

Scientists know so little about how storms affect the delicate balance of lake ecosystems that we may be unable to protect them from the effects of climate change, says a NIWA scientist.

The new Lake Restoration Handbook - A New Zealand perspective

The Lake Restoration Handbook: A New Zealand Perspective addresses this need through a series of chapters that draw on recent advances in modelling and monitoring tools, citizen science and First Peoples’ roles, catchment and lake-focused restoration techniques, and policy implementation.

Rotorua Te Arawa lakes

Freshwater Update 81, June 2019

Freshwater Update 81 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from how NIWA scientists are solving the longfin eel migration mystery, how we're taking you diving with us at Fieldays, and a word from one of the editors of the new Lakes Restoration Handbook.

Come jump in a lake with NIWA

Media Release

5 June 2019

Visitors to NIWA’s stand at this year’s Fieldays are invited to go diving into the Rotorua lakes—without having to get wet.

NIWA mapping Whakatipu lake floor

Media Release

8 May 2019

NIWA researchers are out on Lake Whakatipu for the next week mapping the lake floor for the first time.

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.

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