Waikanae River at Jim Cooke Park
The Waikanae River at Jim Cooke Park is located in the lower reaches of the river, just outside the township of Waikanae. The site is easily accessed from the walk and cycle path that runs along the river, as well as through Jim Cooke Memorial Park.
This site is monitored as a part of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Recreational Water Quality Programme, which is specifically designed to inform the public about the suitability of various sites across the region for swimming and other recreational activities.
The safety of water for swimming is determined by measuring ‘faecal indicator bacteria’ (E. coli) which indicates the likely levels of pathogens in the water. Monitoring is conducted on a weekly basis over the summer months (December to March).
It is generally safe to swim at this site during dry weather. However the site is known to be affected by faecal contamination from rural and urban run-off following heavy or prolonged rainfall. We therefore advise people not to swim for at least two days after heavy rain.
This site can also be affected by cyanobacteria (also known as “toxic algae”) blooms during the summer. For the latest toxic algae warnings and other water quality information, please go to the GWRC website, or check out the latest recreational water quality reports.