Natural character of braided rivers
With historical use and development, the ecological and biodiversity values of Canterbury’s braided rivers have deteriorated over time. Their ecosystems and habitats are threatened by weeds and predators, land use change, river control works, low flows due to water takes, and damage through recreational activities.
Under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), goals were set to help make a difference to our environment and how natural resources are managed. Environment Canterbury reports on progress on behalf of CWMS partners.
Here's how things are progressing against 2020 goals. View information on:
- Braided river character
- Ecosystems, habitats and species in braided river environments and associated riparian wetlands, springs and lagoons
Braided river character
2020 goal: Made progress towards achieving environmental flows.
Has the goal been met?
Some steps have been taken to progress towards environmental flows, including prohibiting damming alpine rivers. Environmental flows are set under the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP). Most catchments now have a specific planning framework in place. Visit the Canterbury Maps website for progress on these Plan changes. The impact on flows is routinely considered by Environment Canterbury in the assessment of consent applications to abstract water.
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Environment Canterbury has developed guidelines for assessing the natural character of braided rivers (PDF file, 1.27MB), which make the process of applying for, and assessing resource consents around braided rivers simpler, more consistent and more efficient.
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The Braided Rivers Action Group (BRAG) is a multi-agency group with representation from central and local government, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Federated Farmers, Forest & Bird, and Fish & Game. The Group is working collaboratively to align public land management processes and agree and implement best practice land management of publicly administered land in, and adjacent to the lower reaches of braided rivers.
- CWMS partners will continue investing in projects that focus on protection and restoration of braided rivers ecosystems and habitat.
- Environment Canterbury is in the process of implementing new national policy – the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and National Environmental Standards for Freshwater – which relates to braided river environments.
Ecosystems, habitats and species in braided river environments and associated riparian wetlands, springs and lagoons
2020 goal: Protected significant habitat for a full range of indigenous braided river flora and fauna.
Has the goal been met?
Good progress has been made but there is still a lot of work to do. Many groups and organisations are involved in significant on the ground work to protect braided river habitat. These include multi-year, large-scale projects to protect braided river ecosystems and bird breeding habitats. DOC leads several projects to protect and enhance braided river birds and their habitat.
2020 goal: Protected and enhance habitats in riparian wetlands, springs and lagoons associated with braided rivers.
Has the goal been met?
The LWRP provides protections for ecosystems and habitats in the seven major alpine rivers (Waiau Toa/Clarence, Waiau Uwha, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata and Waitaki rivers).
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Environment Canterbury’s biodiversity snapshot (2019/2020) provides details of completed and ongoing projects.
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Project River Recovery is a DOC-led restoration programme making contributions to braided river ecosystem protection in the Upper Waitaki Basin. Projects underway include landscape-scale weed and predator control, research into new predator control methods, invertebrate fauna surveys, long-term bird population monitoring and education raising programmes.
- CWMS partners will continue to work with agencies and organisations on large-scale projects to protect braided river ecosystems and bird breeding habitats.
- Hurunui District Council will continue to be active in braided rivers partnership projects to protect habitat for black-billed gulls and black-fronted terns.
