Summary of report findings
Soldiers Bay Stream catchment contains some of the most notable remnant kauri forest and bush areas within the City, including kauri groves believed to be up to 300 years old. These areas have steep contours from which the removal of timber was difficult hence they stand testament to the extensive kauri forest which originally covered much of the North Shore. After the initial clearance of forest for rural use in the 1800s, residential development of the catchment occurred largely following the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959. The catchment retains 50% bush cover and is otherwise predominantly residential (44%).
| Length |
3.3km |
| Size of Catchment |
106ha |
| Vegetation Cover |
69% (74ha), covering much of the catchment. |
| Imperviousness |
20% |
| District Plan Land Use |
Business |
<1% |
| Recreation |
50% |
| Residential |
44% |
| Road |
6% |
| Recreational Use |
High, known high public use of the stream locality. |
| Receiving Environment |
Soldiers Bay, Waitemata Harbour. |
| Substrate |
Either bedrock or silt/mud. |
| Natural Wetlands |
4 |
| Artificial Wetlands |
Nil |
| Periphyton |
Below nuisance levels. Excessive diatomaceous growth in the upper main channel, Tributary 1 + 3A. |
| Macrophytes |
No management issues. |
| Macroinvertebrates |
Results indicate low organic pollution/levels of enrichment, and good water quality and habitat conditions. |
| Fish |
5 species of native fish + koura. |
| Potential Man-Made Barriers to Fish Passage to Upstream Habitat |
2 |
| Channel Modification |
Nil |
| Erosion Around Structures |
1 structure with slight erosion, 1 with moderate erosion, 3 with severe erosion. |
| Bank Erosion |
Predominantly slight erosion (natural) with some minor erosion in Tributaries 2 + 2B. |
| Temperature |
Low however not likely to reflect peak temperatures. |
| Suspended Solids, Turbidity And Visual Clarity |
Moderate clarity compared to other North Shore streams. |
| Oxygen and Oxygen Demand |
Good oxygen levels sufficient to support aquatic life. |
| Nutrients |
Low compared to other North Shore streams. |
| Contaminants |
No data. |
| Bacteria and Pathogens |
Levels of indicative bacteria indicate the stream is not suitable for contact recreation. |
| Sediment Quality |
No data. |
| Debris |
Minimal debris observed. |
| Stream Grouping |
Group 2, High value low disturbance |
70% |
| Group 3a, Urban semi-modified |
30% |
| Group 3b, Urban modified |
- |
| Group 4, Concrete lined channel |
- |
| Group 5, Piped section |
- |
