Horizons Regional Council’s Hydrology Team Monitoring Coastal Lakes From The Air

The hydrology team of New Zealand's Horizons Regional Council is taking to the sky as part of a new monitoring program to better understand the state of the region’s coastal lakes.

This month marked the trial of helicopter-assisted monitoring runs, allowing Horizons staff to access a greater number of sites in a shorter amount of time and start to build a picture of factors impacting the lakes. If successful, these helicopter-assisted runs will be carried out on a quarterly basis.

Horizons senior environmental scientist water quality Maree Clark says the team started monthly monitoring by boat at Lake Horowhenua in July 2013. Quarterly monitoring at four lakes was added to the program in 2013 and a further six will be monitored by helicopter over time.

“Helicopter monitoring allows us to access sites that are inaccessible by car or boat and saves a lot of staff time,” Ms Clark says.

“Most of the lakes were last monitored in the 1970s and at some point over the past decade for investigative purposes, but more regular monitoring is essential to develop a better picture of the state of the Coastal Lakes.”

Samples are collected by lowering a crate containing two bottles and a meter measuring depth, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature into the lake while the helicopter hovers above.

Information about nutrients, algae, bacteria and sediment as well as depth and temperature profiles gathered through this monitoring will be used to assess the effectiveness of policies, non-regulatory intervention and rules around maintenance or enhancement of water quality within the lakes.

It will also be used to assess where the region sits in relation to water quality bottom lines in the National Objectives Framework.

Similar monitoring is carried out by regional councils nationwide including Environment Canterbury and Auckland Council. All staff involved in the monitoring have completed helicopter underwater escape training.

(Image from Horizons Regional Council video)

FMI: www.horizons.govt.nz