Other invasive fish species can also be transferred from one waterway to another as well and koi carp, found in the Waikato River system as far upstream as Lake Whakamaru, are, geographically, not that far away from us here in Rotorua.
Both of these species are relatively easy to spot in the spring, but there are other pests that are not easily seen until they are a major problem in a waterway, such as algae.
Check, clean, dry is the only method to use to be sure that these pests are not moved from place to place. On the positive side, it is great to hear about the movement to reduce erosion on the Waiteti Stream that enters Lake Rotorua.
This stream is typical as it is fast and furious in places upstream but as it nears the lake, it slows dramatically, allowing fine sediment to drop out and settle. Over the centuries, floods have deposited layers of sediment, and the stream bed has moved, as it does, scouring out a new bed by eroding its banks.
Keeping a stream within boundaries that we set is a challenge, but one worth pursuing, particularly in this case, as the amount of sediment being delivered to the Lake Rotorua lake bed is significant, especially after a major flood.
The water quality will improve as more planting is done, especially further upstream, and will benefit all who use or live around Lake Rotorua.
The Utuhina is another stream that has people starting to look after it and the more people that join in, the quicker we will see positive results for the region. I, for one, am all for these proactive and positive drives to improve our rivers and streams.
