All Tongariro River anglers must read this…
Consultation for the Annual Works Programme for the Tongariro River…
Waikato Regional Council sent this invitation for Tongariro River anglers to participate in their annual works programme…
Images on right from TRM library span many years to illustrate previous failed efforts at taming the lower Tongariro.
These confirm the futility of their “flood control” (?) measures when the lake is being held too high by the power companies (to feed their turbines?).
i.e. Compare the “before & after” images of SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed thinks she manages everything around here?) inspecting new vehicle access leading into the Braids in 23 June 2006 which lasted all of two days before it was washed away…
Other pics below show futile attempts in October 2012 around the old Bends Pool where the increased stronger faster flow burst directly through and destroyed valuable spawning grounds around the De Latours loop.
WRC’s Invitation to anglers:
Hi,
You are receiving this email as you are listed as an interested party for consultation for our Annual Works Programme for the Tongariro River, a copy of which is attached to this email.
The Integrated Catchment Management team at the Waikato Regional Council holds a Resource Consent to undertake management works within the flood scheme on the Tongariro River. Part of the conditions for this consent is to notify interested parties of our annual works plan.
The purpose of this consultation is to:
- Identify proposed works and how they will be managed in accordance with the conditions of consent;
- Allow parties to consider whether the proposed works will impact on specific sites and/or species of significance; and
- Identify solutions to address any concerns parties may have.
Proposed works scheduled for the upcoming season primarily consist of gravel island vegetation control, and gravel island management. These works are focused on relieving erosional pressures and reducing flood potential. Other works may include routine maintenance and ecological restoration such as revegetation/de-vegetation and stopbank top-ups (generally permitted activities).
A site meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks, which you will be invited to attend should you wish. The site meeting will aim to answer any questions relating to the works proposed.
It is important to note that there is a 20 day consultation window (from when this email was sent) before works can formally start.
Should you wish to discuss the attached work programme please get in touch with either myself or Allan Kirk.
Kind Regards,
James Linehan | River Management Officer – Upper Waikato/Taupo | Integrated Catchment Management
Waikato Regional Council
P: +64 7 213 2611
F: +64 7 859 0998
M: +64 21 241 6536
Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240
On right is the old anglers access down the TLB (True Left Bank – looking down river) to Smallmans Reach – opposite Reeds Pool. This completely eroded away in 2013 and never replaced.
In response to TRM’s complaints about the loss of the Braids, WRC commented as follows: (this should be sweet music to Tongariro fishos who still moan about the good old days fishing in the Braids)Hi Ross,
When you talk about fishing opportunities lost due to the canal down from the swirl pool. Is this because the majority of the rivers flow is flowing down the true left channel and the flows through sections of the braids in the central and true right of the river have very low flow?
So the Annual works programme is intended to show what we propose as the best way forward to maintain the design level functionality of the flood scheme while maintaining and improving all other aspects of the river system, eg: cultural, recreational etc.
In the area outline above near Koinekeke (Cresent) Reserve. The build-up and movement of gravel islands is forcing the majority of the river flow down the true left path. By managing the gravel at the nose end of these islands and removing woody vegetation we are wanting the flow to be more evenly distributed throughout the braids. The idea behind this looking at it from a scheme perspective is that this will relieve pressure on the highly erodible true left bank (where the fisherman track is), This helps us maintain stability in the system. It will also give the river a higher water holding capacity in flood events.
Do you think there is potential for fishing to improve through doing this.
For us, this is in the Works Programme to see the response and to consider the best options. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen this summer. But if it was to happen this summer it needs to be in there….
Thank you to WRC for their excellent communication.
Images on right of cattle crapping and polluting the lower Tongariro River Downs Pool in 2011.
This is the best opportunity offered by WRC (Waikato Regional Council). Ever since the Tongariro Hydro scheme halved the flow, this lower river in particular has been under threat from aggradation complications. If anglers want it to survive as one of NZ’s finest trout fisheries, then anglers need to speak out. This is their best opportunity to contribute to future river management.
Obviously WRC are at last recognising anglers’ contribution. Regular Tongariro fly fishos know the moods of the lower Tongariro River better than anyone else. This is now being acknowledged by WRC. Nobody spends more time wading the lower reaches in quiet contemplation whilst patiently observing the year to year changes, the erosion, the snags, the sediment, the changing flow. If they want to preserve the biggest brown trout nursery in NZ then they need to become more vocal about their concerns and any continuing deterioration.
Braids in March 2004 before WRC canal drained it.