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Waihi River at Waihi Gorge

The Waihi River is a hill-fed river that arises in the Four Peak Ranges. It flows south-east before eventually joining the Opihi River near Temuka. 

The Waihi River at gorge site is located within a Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite. 

Macroinvertebrates are collected from this site as part of Environment Canterbury's aquatic ecosystem health monitoring programme. 

Instream habitat is a mix of run, riffle and pool habitat and the stream bed substrates are primarily a mix of larger gravel, cobbles and boulders. Adjacent riparian vegetation on the true left is primary native trees and on the right is mainly short grass where the camping and picnic area is.

Can I Swim Here?
Ecology
Ecological data for this site

This dashboard shows information on macroinvertebrate data collected by regional councils and unitary authorities.  Select an indicator to see the available historical results.

Select a time period

  • 10 years
  • 15 years

Macroinvertebrates

MCI
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State

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Attribute Band
Trend
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Sample history at this site

Showing:
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MCI samples for Waihi River at Waihi Gorge
MCI score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying MCI scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for MCI are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of pristine conditions with almost no organic pollution or nutrient enrichment.
B
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of mild organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Largely composed of taxa sensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
C
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of moderate organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. There is a mix of taxa sensitive and insensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
National bottom line: MCI score 90
D
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of severe organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Communities are largely composed of taxa insensitive to inorganic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
 Download data
QMCI
{{medianValue('QMCI')}}
State

{{nofDisplayGradeEcology(QMCI.NofBand)}}

Attribute Band
Trend
{{trendMsg(QMCI)}}

Sample history at this site

Showing:
–
QMCI samples for Waihi River at Waihi Gorge
QMCI score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying QMCI scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for QMCI are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of pristine conditions with almost no organic pollution or nutrient enrichment.
B
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of mild organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Largely composed of taxa sensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
C
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of moderate organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. There is a mix of taxa sensitive and insensitive to organic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
National bottom line: QMCI score 4.5
D
Macroinvertebrate community indicative of severe organic pollution or nutrient enrichment. Communities are largely composed of taxa insensitive to inorganic pollution/nutrient enrichment.
 Download data
ASPM
{{medianValue('ASPM')}}
State

{{nofDisplayGradeEcology(ASPM.NofBand)}}

Attribute Band
Trend
{{trendMsg(ASPM)}}

Sample history at this site

Showing:
–
ASPM samples for Waihi River at Waihi Gorge
ASPM score

What is this graph showing me?

This graph is displaying ASPM scores over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state and trends displayed on the dashboard.

Find out about how State and Trend are calculated.

What do the attribute band icons mean?

The bands for ASPM are as outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020

A
Macroinvertebrate communities have high ecological integrity, similar to that expected in reference conditions.
B
Macroinvertebrate communities have mild-to moderate loss of ecological integrity.
C
Macroinvertebrate communities have moderate-to-severe loss of ecological integrity.
National bottom line: ASPM score 0.3
D
Macroinvertebrate communities have severe loss of ecological integrity.
 Download data
  • Taxonomic richness

    The median of the last 5 years of data

    {{medianValue("TaxaRichness")}}
    Taxonomic richness is the number of different taxa present in an ecological community identified to the best possible level.

    Taxa richness history at this site

    Showing:
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    Taxa richness for Waihi River at Waihi Gorge
    Number of taxa

    What is this graph showing me?

    This graph is displaying Taxonomic richness over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state displayed on the dashboard.

  • Percent EPT richness

    The median of the last 5 years of data

    {{medianValue("PercentageEPTTaxa")}}
    EPT are macroinvertebrates that are sensitive to water pollution. These are Ephemeroptera (mayfly), Plecoptera (stonefly) and Trichoptera (caddisfly).

    EPT history at this site

    Showing:
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    Percent EPT richness for Waihi River at Waihi Gorge
    EPT %

    What is this graph showing me?

    This graph is displaying percent EPT taxa over the selected time period.  You can adjust this period by changing the dropdowns.  These records for the basis for the state displayed on the dashboard.
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