Further to the disturbing (?) images posted in the TRM Daily Report yesterday on the Bridge Pool quarry excavations… Thank you for all the website and facebook traffic. We cannot answer them all but are advised by Graham Carter – President of NZFFA (New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers) the following:
The plan is to remove the island in the middle which they say has been building over recent years. The plan is to straighten the river by diverting the river first down one side and moving the rocks to the northern side to protect the stop bank then doing the opposite on the other side. They have admitted they should have done this around Dec – Jan before the brown trout spawned but couldn’t get the permissions in time.
So we will keep you informed via TRM Daily Reports with updates as necessary to report on progress.
Most anglers had been warned that some more work was planned but nobody ever anticipated the most popular pool in New Zealand – the famous Bridge Pool – would get hammered. Watch this space…
Compare above – Bridge Pool January 2018 , Below Bridge Pool July 2017
The original warning on DOC’s facebook page was:
NOTICE TO ANGLERS and recreational users of the Lower Tongariro River. The Waikato Regional Council (WRC) will commence gravel management works within the area immediately down-river of SH1 Bridge on Thursday 05 April. The works are expected to last for two weeks. Preliminary vegetation removal is already underway.
During high flow events the Tongariro River deposits large amounts of gravel in this zone. As a consequence the river bed has risen in places increasing erosion potential of the river bank and flood scheme assets. The objective of this gravel management work is to encourage a stable main channel and a more even distribution of flow down existing channels, therefore relieving pressure and increasing flood scheme capacity.
A period of consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders, which included representatives from the angling community – DOC Fishery Management Team, Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee and Tongariro and Lake Taupo Anglers Club. This involved site field trips, meetings and discussions. Resulting considerations include an appreciation for high value locations, fish habitat and access.
Measures put in place include…
– Restricted working hours 8am-6pm Mon-Sat.
– Maintain access where practically possible.
– Work to best practice guidelines including forming bunds to work in the dry and maintain safe passage for fish.
WRC will ensure that appropriate signage and spotters will be present to minimise risk, however caution is recommended and contact must be made with an official when nearing the work site.