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Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu

This site is located at the bottom of the Waiwhakaiho River, near the coastal walkway and Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. The Waiwhakaiho drains an extensively developed farmland catchment and flows through six kilometres of urban New Plymouth before reaching this popular recreational area, which is about 700m from the sea.  This site is used mainly for whitebaiting (in season), and walking.

Permanent warning signs are located along the river advising the public that the site regularly exceeds the microbiological water quality guidelines, and is often unsuitable for swimming.  Large flocks of seagulls and ducks are present in the lower reaches between Merrilands Domain and this site, and investigations have shown that bird excrement is the main cause of water quality failing to meet safe swimming guidelines.

Please note that water quality can change depending on weather. Don't swim if the water is murky or smells unpleasant. Taranaki Regional Council advises not to swim within three days of heavy or prolonged rainfall, even at sites that usually have good water quality.

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 Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu
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:
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QMCI samples for Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu
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 Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu
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 Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu
    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 Waiwhakaiho River adjacent to Lake Rotomanu
    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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