Eskdale Stream Assessment

Image of Eskdale Stream. Summary of report findings

Development of the Eskdale Stream catchment has occurred mostly during the last 30-50 years, subsequent to the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959. The catchment contains a total of 18 reserves which together cover 26% of the catchment. The Eskdale Stream is one of the largest stream networks on the North Shore. The catchment contains areas with good riparian vegetation and little channel modification as well as some areas heavily modified by urban development. The stream receives significant inputs from the reticulated stormwater network within the catchment.

Length		15.2km
Size of Catchment		384ha
Vegetation Cover		42% (161ha), occurring along the stream channel though much of the catchment.
Imperviousness		23%
District Plan Land Use	Business	1%
	Recreation	26%
	Residential	62%
	Road	10%
Recreational Use		Medium, some known public use of stream locality.
Receiving Environment		Kaipatiki Creek, Hellyer (Oruamo) Creek, Upper Waitemata Harbour.
Substrate		Predominantly silt/mud with deep sediment deposits in many tributaries.
Natural Wetlands		5
Artificial Wetlands		1
Periphyton		Significant densities of diatomaceous algae in the main channel and Tributaries 1 + 9 (below nuisance levels), and at nuisance levels in Tributary 8.
Macrophytes		Possible management issues in the upper main channel and Tributaries 1, 4 + 5B.
Macroinvertebrates		Moderate to high %EPT + MCI values.
Fish		5 species of native fish + koura.
Potential Man-Made Barriers to Fish Passage to Upstream Habitat		11 (+ 8 potential natural barriers).
Channel Modification		Limited modification, 25% of total channel length affected. Lower main channel 14% lined, upper main channel 5% piped, Tributary 1 17% piped, Tributary 5C 23% lined, and Tributary 6 23% piped.
Erosion Around Structures		More outfalls with erosion than any other stream surveyed. 19 structures with slight erosion, 7 with moderate erosion, and 5 with severe erosion.
Bank Erosion		Predominantly slight (natural) erosion. Minor to moderate erosion in the tributaries with sections of severe erosion.
Temperature		Winter temperatures recorded were low and indicate no adverse effect on steam ecology, however summer temperatures are likely to be higher.
Suspended Solids, Turbidity And Visual Clarity		Approximately average suspended solids and turbidity levels. Average clarity throughout most tributaries, below average in the main channel and Tributary 5B.
Oxygen and Oxygen Demand		Oxygen levels 8.7 and 4.5 g/m³ in the upper and lower main channel respectively. Low oxygen demand.
Nutrients		Low ammonia + average nitrate concentrations.
Contaminants		Typical compared to other North Shore streams, low zinc concentrations.
Bacteria and Pathogens		Levels of indicator bacteria indicate the stream is not suitable for contact recreation.
Sediment Quality		No data.
Debris		Insignificant inorganic debris except for the head of Tributary 3. Moderate organic debris throughout due to the collapse of streamside vegetation, particularly in Tributary 7.
Stream Grouping	Group 2, High value low disturbance	65%
	Group 3a, Urban semi-modified	23%
	Group 3b, Urban modified	3%
	Group 4, Concrete lined channel	2%
	Group 5, Piped section	7%

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