Activities for enjoymentRecreation is defined as an activity that is done for enjoyment. Lake Dunstan is used for a wide range of leisure activities including sailing, fishing, kayaking and swimming. As the population continues to grow, safe recreational space will be in higher demand.
The creation of Lake Dunstan sold the town as a place of incredible recreational potential. In the 1980s a professor, Dr Reiner Jaakson, from Canada reported that, with substantial and systematic investments into recreation, Lake Dunstan could become a hub for visitors all over the country and world to enjoy. View Dr. Jaaksons Recreation Report |
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Suggestions not implemented
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Most of the suggestions made by Dr Jaakson were not implemented. Since created 30 years ago, Lake Dunstan has fallen into a state of despair with weeds, rabbit holes and driftwood littering the shoreline. The visual aspect of the lake is substandard, native wildlife sparse and water sports at risk of vanishing.
In recent years we have seen a decline in water-orientated activities due to the increased safety risk of Lagarosiphon's major entangling around feet, propellers and possessions. Recreation is incredibly important to the mental and physical well-being of the community which continues to suffer as weeds saturate the lake. The Kawarau arm is no longer viable for swimming, fishing or boats due to silt deposits. The sediment build-up has resulted in the shift of the shoreline, loss of the jetty and shallowing of the boat ramp. The visual beauty of Old Cromwell is further impacted by the driftwood and Lagarosiphon that wash onto the sediment. As Cromwell's population increases, there is a risk of reduced water quality. If water treatment cannot keep up with demand, agricultural and sewage runoff could enter the water. This could cause a variety of gastrointestinal and immune issues as well as algae blooms that cause swimmers' itch. |
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Responsibilities
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The Central Otago District Council (CODC) is responsible for the control of activities and their actual or potential effects on the water surface and margins of the river.
Otago Regional Council (ORC) is responsible for determining land use consent and managing the region’s groundwater and surface water resources. Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has responsibility for the management of Crown-owned lands and waterways including the bed of Lake Dunstan and associated weed/pest control programmes. CONTACT ENERGY responsible for managing the visual amenity and recreational values of the Kawarau arm. |
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Managing recreational values
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Clearing and maintenance of Lagarosiphon is fundamental to improving recreation in Lake Dunstan. A reduction of weeds in key areas would provide a safer environment for swimmers, boats and fishers. Less Lagarosiphon would also reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch, unpleasant odours and possession loss/damage.
With management, the Kawarau arm could once again be viable for boat access, fishing and swimming. As the Kawarau Arm transitions back into a river, Contact Energy need to create a plan that ensures it is visually appealing and beneficial to the community and wildlife. The population of Cromwell is likely to increase to over 15,000 by 2050 and with that comes more demand for clean water, waste removal and recreation. Water and wastewater infrastructure needs to grow at the same rate or more to reduce the risk of contamination by pathogens, effluent and agriculture. |
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What will be done
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NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) and LINZ create annual plans the ensure they undertake regular herbicide spraying and clearing.
CODC created a 10-year management plan for the region and highlighted the need for improvements to the Cromwell's water network. The wastewater treatment plant was upgraded in 2018 and projects to address protozoa in the water supply are to commence in 2026. LDCT recently sought the legal opinion of a specialist RMA barrister regarding Contact Energy's responsibilities to manage the effects of sedimentation in the Kawarau arm. ORC, who are responsible for compliance with consent conditions, agreed with the opinion and Contact Energy have now created a more comprehensive plan to manage the effects of the dam. |
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Kids activity sheet
Download the free activity sheet for kids to identify activities on and around lake Dunstan.
How many can they find?
How many can they find?
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References:
[1]ORC (2011) Clutha river/Mata-au Plan. To view Click here
[2] Dr R. Jaackson (1987) Clutha valley Development: Water Oriented Recreation on the Upper Clutha Hydro Lake. to view, click here
[3]NIWA (2016) Ten Year Management Plan for Lagarosiphon at Lake Dunstan: 2016 to 2025. To view Click here
[4] A. Farminer (2013) People, Rivers and Recreation: Fluid Relationships of PLace and Experience on the Clutha River, Otago, New Zealand. To view Click here
[5]CODC (2018) 10 Year Plan. To view Click here
[6]Ministry of Health (2018) Annual Report on Drink-water Quality 2018-2019. To view Click here
[7] Ministry of Health (2007) Pathogen and Pathways, and Small Drinking-water Supplies: Resources for the Drinking-water Assistance Programme. To view Click here
[8] CODC (2021) Framing Our Future Long-term Plan 2021-2031: Infrastructure Strategy. To view Click here
[9]H.D O’Connor (2021) Boost in Funding to Deliver Jobs While Restoring Central Otago’s Lakes and Waterways. To view Click here
Images: Unsplash; Crux; NIWA
[1]ORC (2011) Clutha river/Mata-au Plan. To view Click here
[2] Dr R. Jaackson (1987) Clutha valley Development: Water Oriented Recreation on the Upper Clutha Hydro Lake. to view, click here
[3]NIWA (2016) Ten Year Management Plan for Lagarosiphon at Lake Dunstan: 2016 to 2025. To view Click here
[4] A. Farminer (2013) People, Rivers and Recreation: Fluid Relationships of PLace and Experience on the Clutha River, Otago, New Zealand. To view Click here
[5]CODC (2018) 10 Year Plan. To view Click here
[6]Ministry of Health (2018) Annual Report on Drink-water Quality 2018-2019. To view Click here
[7] Ministry of Health (2007) Pathogen and Pathways, and Small Drinking-water Supplies: Resources for the Drinking-water Assistance Programme. To view Click here
[8] CODC (2021) Framing Our Future Long-term Plan 2021-2031: Infrastructure Strategy. To view Click here
[9]H.D O’Connor (2021) Boost in Funding to Deliver Jobs While Restoring Central Otago’s Lakes and Waterways. To view Click here
Images: Unsplash; Crux; NIWA
