Our Sites

Site 1

This is an upper lagoon (UL) site adjacent to the Ocean Grove Domain hall. We investigate the WQ along with observing the macroinvertebrates and macrophytes growth or status. The water has a reasonably long residence time and will collect water from the stream on the upper catchment and water runoff from the land. The substrate is fine and silty near the margin, but further out firmer and sandy.

The vegetated margin is dominated by Raupo, Carex grasses and native rushes.

 

Site 2

This is at the carpark in the upper lagoon. This, as with Site 1, measures the WQ and biodiversity of water from the upper catchment and off the land. We gather bird data-what species are present and species number- from this site and this is archived on the ebird website.

Site 3a

This our first “catchment” site, here we are investigating the water quality of the mainstream prior to the water entering the upper lagoon (UL). The stream usually has a good flow and responds immediately to any rainfall in the catchment. The stream banks are unprotected from grazing animals and the amount of fine sediment is very noticeable especially when we are gathering water samples. We have observed perch, trout, and bullies in the stream.

Site 3b & 3c

Sites 3b and 3c are placed further up the catchment and sometimes are less impacted by heavy sediment input but are still primarily unprotected sites with respect to the stream banks.

Site 4

This site is on the vegetated margin the lower lagoon (LL)  close to the connecting weir with the upper lagoon (UL). This site has a substrate of very fine sediment and very “gluggy” to move about in. The water level fluctuates considerably depending on the tide, local rainfall and how well the LL is opened to the sea. The WQ here is influenced by water flowing from the UL as well as streams from the catchment at the head if the LL, land runoff the land and seawater incursions.

The vegetation is mainly flax, sedges, Carex and pasture grasses. The margin is fenced off from grazing animals. The upper margins of LL have some riparian protection.

Site 5

This site experiences significant fluctuations due to outflow from the UL as well as seawater incursions with spring tides, and periodic opening of the outflow channel that connects with the sea. The outflow is very close to our monitoring spot. Similar to site 4 the substrate is fine, very unstable and difficult to move through.  The vegetated margin is close to the road and is composed of Coprosma, lupin, sedges, flax, cabbage trees,  and a mixture of pasture grasses.

We find this a very good spot for bird watching.

Site 6

This our “catchment” site at the top of the LL. We access this site by crossing farmland and a swamp area. This appears to be the mainstream that drains the catchment of the LL. The stream runs through farmland, native scrub and some small patches of native and exotic bush. Our site is adjacent to the swamp area, has no protection and is surrounded by pasture grass. The swamp area is mainly Carex grasses and rushes with gorse and scrub on the margins.