More than 60 river and stream sites are included in Otago Regional Council’s State of Environment monitoring programme, and an additional eight sites are monitored by NIWA.  Visit the LAWA website here:  https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/otago-region/river-quality/.

Otago has some of New Zealand’s largest and most pristine lakes, which are a recreational haven for boaties, fishermen, tourists, and swimmers. Some also provide hydro-electric power and support Otago’s agricultural industries with water for irrigation.

Summer monitoring:  Our recreational monitoring of lakes starts in December and runs through until March.