Canterbury BOTSOC visit Ohuriawa Waipara Gorge conse...

In December 2017 Canterbury BOTSOC visited the 20 hectare Waipara Gorge conservation area.

It lies along two stream that runs within deep gorges eroded into the sedimentary terraces to a lake impounded by the earthflow of calcaerous mudstones greensands, and alluvial gravel deposits.

The reserve is based around the mountain beech forest, with kanuka shrubland on the steep, rocky faces. The lake is fringes with sedges. Aquatic plants grow well in the warm, shallow water and shoals of fish fry were noted (the lake is cut off from the main river so there are no trout).

The gorge area is very weedy. The most ecologically disruptive are: Old Mans beard, hawthorn, grey willow, chery plum, broom on cliffs and in the riverbed, and spur valerian.

Upstream from the Laidmore road river crossing, on the true left of the Ohuriawa Waipara gorge, there are three linear reserves that can be access through the contiguous Hydro parcel and unformed legal road.

Downstream from the crossing the Laidmore conservation area and Waipara Gorge conservation area span side creeks. Laidmore can be access form the river Hydro parcel but the Waipara Gorge reserve requires permission from the adjacent forestry company. Once there, it is difficult to stay within the reserve boundary without straying onto the neighbouring farmland so we recommend their permission is sought as well.

Reference:
http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Strategies/Waipara%20River%20Management%20Strategy%202012l.pdf

Dobson, Andrew. 1975. Aspects of the Vegetation of the Waipara Gorge Region. Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 8: 12-13.
http://bts.nzpcn.org.nz/bts_pdf/Cant%5F1975%5F8%5F%5F12%2D13%2Epdf

Metcalf, L.J. 1976. Further Notes on the Vegetation of the Middle Waipara Gorge Region. Canterbury Botanical Society Journal 9: 19-21.
http://bts.nzpcn.org.nz/bts_pdf/Cant%5F1976%5F9%5F%5F19%2D21%2Epdf

http://bts.nzpcn.org.nz/bts_pdf/Cant_1975_8__11-12.pdf less ↑