Fresh Water Data

This dataset relates to the March 2018 report National E. coli modelling - Supplementary material to support setting draft regional targets for swimmable rivers.

Scenario 1 represents the level of stock exclusion and riparian planting for the nominal year 2030
when the CWP rules have been implemented assuming that the effects of the measures have been realised and water quality has attained a new attribute state. Scenario 1 also includes the impact of regional committed work (that is, work already committed to by councils in their policy plans, or planned infrastructure investment) in regions that have committed to mitigation beyond the CWP.

The geometries are based off REC1, and the field 'Swimability_band' defines the modelled E. coli attribute state NPS-FM human health for recreation value. The rest of the fields come from the River Environment Classification.

This dataset relates to the March 2018 report National E. coli modelling - Supplementary material to support setting draft regional targets for swimmable rivers.

It represents Scenario 0, baseline (i.e. 2017) including the current level of on-farm fencing and land use - further details available in the above report.

The geometries are based off REC1, and the field 'Swimability_band' defines the modelled E. coli attribute state NPS-FM human health for recreation value. The rest of the fields come from the River Environment Classification.

To view the map of vulnerable catchments, click the orange 'plus’ icon above.

The Government has committed $100 million over 10 years through the Freshwater Improvement Fund to support initiatives which improve the management of fresh water within quality and quantity limits.

The fund focuses on projects that will make a significant and measurable improvement to rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater and wetlands, with priority on the most vulnerable catchments.

This dataset shows catchments that have been classified as vulnerable (as defined by the criteria for the Freshwater Improvement Fund).

This dataset includes three “packages” of information, each with multiple variables. The packages include:

1. Load – results on mean annual suspended sediment load reported by REC 2 river reach scale for various model scenario variations.
2. Lakes – results on sediment inflow, outflow, and entrapment in lakes and reservoirs
3. Coastal – results on sediment inflows, trap efficiency, and sedimentation rates in coastal hydrosystems (estuaries)

For further detail on the modelling methods and discussing results, see Hicks, M., Semademi-Davies, A., Haddadchi, A., Shankar, U., Plew, D. (2019) Updated sediment load estimator for New Zealand. NIWA Client Report No. 2018341CH, prepared for Ministry for the Environment. January 2019. Available online: environment.govt.nz/publications/updated-sediment-...

Note that some portions of this dataset refine and update 2011 modelling on suspended sediment loads across New Zealand, whereas other components, especially the coastal package, report new modelling results.

This layer applies the sediment attributes’ classification, per Appendix 2C of the NPS-FM 2020, to the digital River Environment Classification (REC) v2.4 network.

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This layer is meant to support stakeholders in their understanding and implementation of the suspended and deposited sediment attributes, but it does not form part of the regulation; it is not incorporated by reference.

This dataset provides boundaries for catchments that drain to the sea (i.e. sea draining catchments).

It is extracted from the Freshwater Ecosystems of New Zealand (FENZ) v1.0 geodatabase. Ministry for the Environment hosts this copy of this layer for convenience and visibility. For all inquiries please contact Department of Conservation directly.

FENZ requires specialist GIS knowledge for its technical operation and biodiversity knowledge for understanding the content. Because of FENZ’s complexity, DOC is providing advice, briefings and training (where possible) to ensure users understand its strengths, limitations and appropriate applications.

If you would like more information about FENZ or access to any FENZ data sets, email fenz@doc.govt.nz.

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www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/freshwater-ecosystems-of-...

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Variables:

Catch_id - This is a unique identifier that can be used to link to other datasets in the FENZ database, or datasets from other sources that also use a FENZ id.

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Catchment names:

Currently a definitive catchment names dataset does not exist. However for your convenience, an unofficial list has been provided in the attachments ("fenz_catnames.csv") which can be joined to the catchment boundaries to provide names. Feedback on the accuracy or completeness of these names is welcomed.

Summary

Water quality for swimming categories for rivers 4th order and above. This dataset was used to compose the current state for water quality for swimming.

Note this data is under review and will be updated in due course. This information is based on modelled and measured data using the approach outlined at www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/freshwater-management-... .

The modelling methods used are outlined in Snelder et al. (2016) Strategic assessment of New Zealand’s freshwaters for recreational use: a human health perspective. LWP Client Report 2016-011 www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/fresh-water/strategic...

Versions

This dataset is the geometric version of this: data.mfe.govt.nz/table/53620-river-water-quality-f...

This dataset has now been superseded due to consultation with local authorities, and this is the latest version: data.mfe.govt.nz/layer/95555-river-water-quality-f...

Column headings:

NZREACH: NZREACH from the River Environment Classification Version 1

ORDER: Strahler stream order

Category: Water quality for swimming category see www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/national-targets-swimm...

PrGT540: percentage of samples that exceeded 540 E.coli per 100mL

PrGT260: percentage of samples that exceeded 260 E.coli per 100mL

Median: median E.coli per 100mL

Q95: 95th percentile E.coli per 100mL

Note: blank cells are reaches where a prediction was not possible because of missing predictor variables.

The New Zealand River Environment Classification (REC) organises information about the physical characteristics of New Zealand's rivers. Individual river sections are mapped according to physical factors such as climate, source of flow for the river water, topography, and geology, and catchment land cover eg, forest, pasture or urban. Sections of river that have similar ecological characteristics can then be grouped together, no matter where they are.

This information is mapped for New Zealand's entire river network - over 425,000 kilometres of river. Different types of rivers respond differently to the pressures placed on them - the REC can be used to highlight the most appropriate management tools and approaches to reduce these pressures for each river type. Information from the classification is used to develop policy, assess the environment, and report on the quality of river water.

Stream order is the numerical position of a tributary or section of a river within the entire network. Headwater streams are assigned a stream order of 1. When two tributaries of the same stream order meet, the order increments by one for the next section downstream. However, if two sections meet where one section has higher order than the other, the next section downstream has the same order as the highest upstream section.

Additional metadata can be found at www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/metadata/env-clas... .

The New Zealand River Environment Classification (REC) organises information about the physical characteristics of New Zealand's rivers. Individual river sections are mapped according to physical factors such as climate, source of flow for the river water, topography, and geology, and catchment land cover eg, forest, pasture or urban. Sections of river that have similar ecological characteristics can then be grouped together, no matter where they are.

This information is mapped for New Zealand's entire river network - over 425,000 kilometres of river. Different types of rivers respond differently to the pressures placed on them - the REC can be used to highlight the most appropriate management tools and approaches to reduce these pressures for each river type. Information from the classification is used to develop policy, assess the environment, and report on the quality of river water.

Stream order is the numerical position of a tributary or section of a river within the entire network. Headwater streams are assigned a stream order of 1. When two tributaries of the same stream order meet, the order increments by one for the next section downstream. However, if two sections meet where one section has higher order than the other, the next section downstream has the same order as the highest upstream section.

Additional metadata can be found at www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/metadata/env-clas... .

The New Zealand River Environment Classification (REC) organises information about the physical characteristics of New Zealand's rivers. Individual river sections are mapped according to physical factors such as climate, source of flow for the river water, topography, and geology, and catchment land cover eg, forest, pasture or urban. Sections of river that have similar ecological characteristics can then be grouped together, no matter where they are.

This information is mapped for New Zealand's entire river network - over 425,000 kilometres of river. Different types of rivers respond differently to the pressures placed on them - the REC can be used to highlight the most appropriate management tools and approaches to reduce these pressures for each river type. Information from the classification is used to develop policy, assess the environment, and report on the quality of river water.

Stream order is the numerical position of a tributary or section of a river within the entire network. Headwater streams are assigned a stream order of 1. When two tributaries of the same stream order meet, the order increments by one for the next section downstream. However, if two sections meet where one section has higher order than the other, the next section downstream has the same order as the highest upstream section.

The User Guide is available from data.mfe.govt.nz/document/123-rec-user-guide-2010/ . Additional metadata can be found at www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/metadata/env-clas... .