Waikato River at Ann Street Reserve
A grass verge leading down to a muddy beach of the river, this swimming spot is beside the scenic river walk and cycle track.
Water quality is tested weekly over the summer period (between November and March). Outside these months, the water is tested monthly.
Please use your own judgement before entering the water. Because the quality of the water is influenced by several different factors, it can change quickly. We advise against swimming if at least one of the following applies:
- It has rained in the past two days.
- The water is murky, and you are unable to see your feet while in the water.
- The water has an unpleasant smell.
The Waikato River is within the city limits here and this site is downstream of the 8 hydroelectric dams and Lake Taupo and the rivers that flow into it. The catchment upstream generally has free draining pumice soils, native and plantation forest with fertile farmland and some geothermal activity in places. Downstream from this point the Waikato River flows through Hamilton City and out to the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato.