Wānaka Water Project
The Wānaka Water Project aims to improve the understanding of the risks to our waterways and identify the actions needed to manage them. A project designed by the community for the community supported by a range of generous funders.
In collaboration with a network of passionate individuals, regulators, scientists, and community the project has recorded many successes since it’s beginning in 2018, including but not limited to the creation of the Community Catchment Plan, over 18,000 riparian plants along more than 5,000m of waterways and 2 comprehensive applied science reports.
THE PROJECT HAS THREE KEY STREAMS OF WORK
Community Catchment Plan
Your action plan for the Upper Clutha’s freshwater! Designed by the community for the community. It addresses current and future risks to freshwater resources in order to prevent any decline in water quality and ecosystem function.
Riparian Planting
Native plantings to restore riparian margins around the catchment, led by Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust. The goal is to plant 24,000 eco-sourced natives over 5 years. Find out more about how you can support riparian planting.
Applied Research
Applied research focussed on the impact of urban development on stormwater and drainage in to Lake Wānaka. Supported by Catchments Otago, the results of this research will help to define future management measures.
MAP OF ACTIVITIES & SITES
GOAL:
24,000
plants in the ground over 5 years
ACHIEVEMENTS:
22,942
plants planted across 19 sites
7,216 m
of waterways protected
47,119 m2
of riparian zones planted
1,058
plants to go!
Timeline
- August 2018 – Stormwater research workshop held in Wānaka.
- December 2018 – Year 1 $60K ‘Love Lake Wānaka’ Million Metres fundraising target achieved.
- February 2019 – Research funding approved for two stormwater projects.
- March 2019 – Water Survey launched. Water Hui and Water Workshop held.
- June 2019 – 4,500 plants in the ground thanks to Te Kākano volunteers. Literature Review complete.
- August 2019 Second Water Hui held.
- December 2019 Year 2 $60K ‘Love Lake Wānaka’ Million Metres fundraising target achieved.
- March 2020 Community Catchment Plan published.
- June 2020 Land Use Effects on the Health of Urban Streams report published by Melanie Vermeulen. View summary here.
- September 2020 Stakeholder update event with presentation from Melanie Vermuelen about her findings.
- March 2021 Year 3 $60K ‘Cardrona Kaitiaki’ Million Metres fundraising target achieved.
- March 2021 Stormwater Quality of Discharges into Lake Wānaka report published by Victoria Grant. View summary here.
- April 2021 ‘Love our Alpine Lakes‘ fundraising campaign launched.
- May 2021 Stakeholder update event held.
- May 2021 Over 5,000m of waterways protected.
- January 2022 CCP Summary document update.
- March 2022 ‘Love our Alpine Lakes‘ fundraising target achieved.
- September 2022 Literature Review update.
- September 2022 NIWA Lake Wānaka Roys Bay drifter study completed.
- To view our current Annual Plan click here.
Our Current Understanding
WAI Wānaka commissioned a review of existing literature to assist with the development of the Community Catchment Plan. The literature review included: A state of the environment summary, high level policy and plan direction, risks to the catchment. The literature review is currently being updated to include the most recent science, policy and applied research findings.
Community Values and Concerns
In 2019 a survey of the Upper Clutha community’s values and concerns regarding freshwater was published. 75% of those who completed it believe that water quality in the Upper Clutha is getting worse, with the key concerns being: agricultural runoff including the use of pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals; and issues related to population growth.
This work is made possible with the generous support of our community and partners:
WAI WĀNAKA BLOG
News & Updates
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