The Awatere River has a naturally elevated turbidity for much of the year due to fine suspended sediments, mainly derived from the highly erodible underlying geology of the mid-catchment.
High suspended-sediment loads in the river cause problems for water abstractors. Fine sediment drawn into irrigation infrastructure can increase wear on pumps, block filters and irrigation drippers and so forth. Infiltration gallery intakes are perceived to offer a potential solution to these problems associated with fine sediment.
This report was commissioned to consider potential effects of instream works associated with infiltration gallery water takes in the Awatere River, including the possibility of cumulative effects arising from maintenance of multiple gallery intakes from the river.
