Freshwater Quality
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Retrospective river flows, July to September 2011
What we predicted for July 2011 to September 2011
River flows are likely to be normal in the North Island and north of the South Island, and normal or below normal in the rest of the South Island.
What actually happened during July 2011 to September 2011
River flows were normal to below normal for most of the country, with some above normal river flows in the eastern North Island, eastern Southland and coastal Otago.
Latest seasonal water quality information
Seasonal data from the National River Water Quality Monitoring Network.
New publication: New Zealand constructed wetland guidelines
New additions to the Freshwater web pages
We are regularly adding new material to our website. Here are a few examples.
Research update: Defining acceptable river flow regimes
Abstracting water from rivers is likely to cause changes in river flows, endangering habitats and making supply unreliable for downstream users. NIWA is working to develop river flow rules that can be applied at a local level to prevent these problems.
Research update: Lake Taupo oxygen balance
During summer the concentration of oxygen in the bottom waters, or 'hypolimnion' of Lake Taupo decreases. To find out what factors are responsible for the total oxygen decrease, NIWA scientists have been monitoring the inputs and outputs of oxidisable matter to the lake.