Boulder Reach aerial views

For inquisitive Tongariro “purists” (?) – further to the warnings suggesting the Tongariro River will break through the TLB above Boulder Reach… (see previous report).

There was so much feedback from anglers that it needed a number of aerials (thank you to Elaine for sending these) of this river valley above Red Hut swing-bridge to really see the BIG picture. From the air the previous and existing meandering course of the Tongariro and bypasses becomes more evident. The likely future directions are also marked.

Boulder Reach with the confluence of Poutu River at top left.
Tongariro River above Blue Pool and confluence of Whitikau River
Access road into Blue Pool with the old Breakaway Pool beside the road now grown over. Blue Pool car park is bottom right.
Red Hut swing bridge in foreground looking up river beyond Wadells Pool.
Meandering Tongariro River above Poutu Pool and below Boulder Reach which could be bypassed if the river breaks through…?

So what I hear you ask? The famed Tongariro trout will still find their way through to the happy spawning grounds up river. But just like the loss of the Breakaway Pool and Dreadnought Pool in the past, the loss of Boulder Reach and Fan Pools will take a long time to heal and many Tongariro junkies will have to change their habits and discover new pools.

Watch this space…