A length of mussel spat rope has been installed at a waterfall on Mahiaruhe Stream in an attempt to repopulate Lake Tutira with young eels.
The project, conducted by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) and the Department of Conservation (DoC), was completed late last month in a bid to get young eels, known as elvers, into the lake.
HBRC and DoC science surveys have found plenty of elvers downstream of the waterfall in Waikoau Stream.
However, in the waterways around Ttira Lake there are only large, mature eels and no small eels.
HBRC said in a statement that the sheer waterfall on Mahiaruhe Stream is a significant barrier to eel migration into the lakes, as the steep ravine and 30m waterfall make their journey difficult.