Overview
The Southern Alps supports high country environments and accommodates a range of wetland types. The Upper Waimakariri Basin is home to lakes, tarns, Raupo swamps, kettleholes and turflands that have formed as a result of glacial processes in the Pleistocene epoch. Following the melting of the Waimakariri Glacier, alluvial fans have continued to build out into the valley.
The Waimakariri Lakes Complex is an important wetland environment because it is representative of alpine wetland environments within the Southern Alps, and other wetlands in Canterbury. The Complex is accessible along a major tourist route (Arthurs Pass), it is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare bird, fish and plant species. Historically it was a place of mahinga kai (natural resources), today it maintains a large social importance as a recreation site.
The Waimakariri Lakes Complex is a 2-3 hour drive from Christchurch. It is comprised of Lakes Pearson, Grasmere, Sarah, Hawdon, Marymere and Letitia. Lakes Pearson, Letitia, Sarah and Hawdon have low nutrient content, typical of glacial high-country lakes, whereas Lakes Marymere and Lake Grasmere have a medium nutrient content. The lakes have little or no stream in-flow resulting in to stable water levels. Water flows out of the lakes as underground seepage and through small swampy streams. As a result, the lakes and swamps of the Complex play a minor role in buffering flow into the Waimakariri River.
The Waimakariri Lakes Complex is an important wetland environment because it is representative of alpine wetland environments within the Southern Alps, and other wetlands in Canterbury. The Complex is accessible along a major tourist route (Arthurs Pass), it is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare bird, fish and plant species. Historically it was a place of mahinga kai (natural resources), today it maintains a large social importance as a recreation site.
The Waimakariri Lakes Complex is a 2-3 hour drive from Christchurch. It is comprised of Lakes Pearson, Grasmere, Sarah, Hawdon, Marymere and Letitia. Lakes Pearson, Letitia, Sarah and Hawdon have low nutrient content, typical of glacial high-country lakes, whereas Lakes Marymere and Lake Grasmere have a medium nutrient content. The lakes have little or no stream in-flow resulting in to stable water levels. Water flows out of the lakes as underground seepage and through small swampy streams. As a result, the lakes and swamps of the Complex play a minor role in buffering flow into the Waimakariri River.
Geology
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Ecology
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Culture
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GeographyThe Waimakariri Lakes Complex is located near the head of the Waimakariri River, northwest of Christchurch City. Lakes Pearson, Grasmere, Sarah, Hawdon and Marymere are located within 5 km of the Waimakariri. Lake Letitia is located between the Poulter and Esk Rivers. Together these lakes supply a 347ha area of water in the Upper Waimakariri catchment providing vital habitats for many bird species. The lakes are all within the Cass Ecological District and are linked together by their common geomorphology and ecological character.
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Ecology
The lakes complex hosts significant numbers of ducks, geese and swans. The most valued bird is the Great Crested Grebe. The area is one of the four key sites for this bird in New Zealand, with many pairs of the endangered bird found breeding in the Complex. The lakes are home to many fish species, notably Lake Trout, Native galaxiid bully species and long- finned eel. Lake Pearson is the source of the Winding Creek, a major spawning tributary for Quinnat Salmon. The ecological value of the Waimakariri Lakes Complex is recognised through Lake Grasmere’s Wildlife Refuge Status and an area recommended for protection containing Lakes Sarah, Pearson and Letitia.
The land around the Waimakariri Lakes Complex is mainly part of pastoral leases. This means it may be used for grazing sheep, deer or cattle but had strict consent processes for other activities. The tenure review process resulted in some of the land becoming freehold (private land where the owners face more relaxed consent constraints). Thus, agricultural development, irrigation and fertiliser application has occurred, enhancing the nutrient influx to the lakes which can lead to water quality degradation. The lakes currently have a low to medium nutrient content, so they are susceptible to nutrient enhancement in the future. Nutrient enhancement tends to negatively impact flora and fauna, it is already being recorded at Lake Grasmere. Agriculture is the main source of nutrient enhancement to the ground and water systems in the Complex to date.
The land around the Waimakariri Lakes Complex is mainly part of pastoral leases. This means it may be used for grazing sheep, deer or cattle but had strict consent processes for other activities. The tenure review process resulted in some of the land becoming freehold (private land where the owners face more relaxed consent constraints). Thus, agricultural development, irrigation and fertiliser application has occurred, enhancing the nutrient influx to the lakes which can lead to water quality degradation. The lakes currently have a low to medium nutrient content, so they are susceptible to nutrient enhancement in the future. Nutrient enhancement tends to negatively impact flora and fauna, it is already being recorded at Lake Grasmere. Agriculture is the main source of nutrient enhancement to the ground and water systems in the Complex to date.
Culture
Historically the lakes were used by Māori as a place of mahinga kai. Hunting birds and collecting other resources on the banks Lake Hawson provided for their food, tools and weapons.
Today, the Waimakariri Lakes Complex is valued for its aesthetic scenery. The largely unmodified alpine character and location on a major tourist route means the lakes are perfect to stop at to take jaw dropping photographs. The University of Canterbury Cass Field Station is located near the Complex where students explore the scientific value of the area across multiple disciplines. Ecology staking its claim as the original discipline to frequent the Cass Field Station for field-trips. The Lakes are mainly valued for their recreational status. Home to the endangered Great Crested Grebe means they are a wonderful place for bird watching. Photography can capture the flora and fauna in this beautiful environment, with camping and picnicking often occurring on the lakes’ shores. The lakes themselves are frequently used for boating or fishing.
Today, the Waimakariri Lakes Complex is valued for its aesthetic scenery. The largely unmodified alpine character and location on a major tourist route means the lakes are perfect to stop at to take jaw dropping photographs. The University of Canterbury Cass Field Station is located near the Complex where students explore the scientific value of the area across multiple disciplines. Ecology staking its claim as the original discipline to frequent the Cass Field Station for field-trips. The Lakes are mainly valued for their recreational status. Home to the endangered Great Crested Grebe means they are a wonderful place for bird watching. Photography can capture the flora and fauna in this beautiful environment, with camping and picnicking often occurring on the lakes’ shores. The lakes themselves are frequently used for boating or fishing.