The lakes
Putere lakes in the Hawkes Bay area consists of three lakes, Rotonuiahā, Rotoroa and Rotongaio. the surrounding catchment has a mix of agricultural and forestry land use activities. Relatively little is known about the health of these three lakes however, regular surface water quality monitoring is currently undertaken by Ngāti Pāhauwera with support from Hawkes Bay Regional Council.
The Mahi
Aotearoa Lakes aims to support Ngāti Pāhauwera in the monitoring and restoration of the putere lakes.
To date an aquatic survey has been undertaken at both Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotonuiaha. These surveys have included habitat assessments, kakahi (freshwater mussels) surveys and macrophyte(underwater plant) surveys.
The key findings have been:
Both of these lakes face tremendous pressure from the invasive macrophyte Hornwart (Ceratophyllum demersum).
Both lakes have little remaining habitat for kakahi due to the impact of invasive species.
Persistent sedimentation and anoxia impacting the lakes ecosystem function.
The size class information of kakahi point to an aging population with little to no recruitment(with no mussels found smaller 28 mm).
Next steps…
An extensive habitat delineation survey.
Kakahi recruitment study.
Further habitat and biodiversity surveys in Rotoroa.
Exploring in lake interventions.
