Targets Study (updated July 2010)

Targets Study - July 2010 update [415KB]

The Targets define for the coming 30 years, within the limits of current knowledge, the commonly agreed measures and goals for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

The latest version of the Targets was signed off by the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Steering Group in June 2010, following an extended process of stakeholder engagement, public consultation and then joint collaboration with farming, recreation, conservation and environmental groups.

Canterbury Strategic Water Study Stage IV

Canterbury Strategic Water Study Stage IV [19MB]

The Stage IV report follows on from strategic assessment work on storage and water efficiency covered in reports on Stage I, II, and III.  Stage IV investigates, for the Canterbury Plains between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, how long-term water needs can be met with the minimum amount of new water storage infrastructure by water-use efficiency improvements and reconfiguring the split between surface water and groundwater consent usage.

North Canterbury Storage Options

North Canterbury Storage Options [7.3MB]
Appendix A: Groundwater Assessment [6.4MB]
Appendix B: Waiau-Jed irrigable areas methodology for report [7.7MB]

This report provides an assessment of long-term water needs for North Canterbury taking into account the potential for water storage (either on farm or from new infrastructure) and/or water transfer between catchments, integrated with water-use efficiency improvements, as well as the potential to use groundwater for irrigation.

Managed Aquifer Recharge Feasibility Study

Managed Aquifer Recharge Feasibility Study - Draft v4 - 29 July 2010 [6.5MB]

This study provides an overview of the various managed aquifer recharge technologies in the context of the Canterbury Plains. Various scheme options have been reviewed, taking into account localised hydrogeological conditions, to provide a high-level assessment of whether managed aquifer recharge is a useful tool for the regional management of Canterbury’s water resources.

Ecosystem Services Review of Water Storage Projects in Canterbury: the Opihi River Case

Ecosystem Services Review: the Opihi River Case [1.4MB]

This report assesses the impact of the Opuha Dam on the Opihi River ecosystem and finds there was a positive impact on freshwater supply, but the impact on other ecosystem services was uncertain, mixed or inconclusive.  The study recommends the development of more robust ecosystem indicators to facilitate a more useful index of ecosystem indicators.