| #10372
|
18 Jun 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Dark discharge out across mouth only
- Waves entering & travelling up channel into estuary
- Flow out over sand build up, deeper channel against cliff
- Steep front forming at mid beach but long gradual slope down to ocean at entrance
- Large number of Coots in middle of estuary
|
| #10349
|
2 Jun 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Dark discharge out but only directly around the mouth
- Small waves entering over outflow & continuing up channel turning east at start of estuary
- Sand continues to build up at mouth around rocks but out flow has increased
- Gradual slope down to sea at mouth, waves entering over a wide area
- Sand has built up higher at eastern end of beach covering rocks
- Small area at centre of beach has been scoured out, surrounding sides higher -strong backwash in front of this area
- Small 'Jellies' in swash line
- Seaweed drying out & starting to smell bad in remaining damp area. It remains alongside channel & south side of estuary but has formed very large mounds (2) on foreshore. Some is even on low track close to ocean car park
- Red swash line along s/side of estuary
- Masses of small flying insects along low track (close to vegetation. Phragmities in that area has bad Aphis infestation
|
| #10337
|
26 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- AHD G6 1.19 @1:21
- Waves entering across a wide area, salt water up to tunnel entrance. Small waves entering estuary & travelling directly north toward camp ground
- Channel very shallow with deeper narrow section against cliff
- Sand being rolled into channel by backwash
- blowing sand along beach into channel
- Seaweed has been spread out but very large mound remains on foreshore
- Small fish in pools alongside low track
|
| #10338
|
21 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Salt entering over a wide area, only small waves up channel
- Waves going high up on beach -backwash rolling sand back to ocean & into channel
- Large amount of seaweed including 1 very large mound on beach -seaweed extends down channel & alongside the south side of estuary
- Floodwater reducing upstream
- Bittern near OOR in north wetlands
|
| #10365
|
19 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth open, small waves entering into estuary. Only salt return along narrow channel against cliff face over large sans build up both along channel & mouth
- Wind from NE blowing sand into channel
- Waves high up on beach -backwash rolling sand especially at mid beach
- Very large amount of sea weed washed alongside channel & around onto S side of estuary
- wind from N at Gp1, from NW across estuary, NE along channel.(Gusts up to 6)
|
| #10364
|
15 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth open strong dark discharge flowing along foreshore & out to sea at east end of beach
- Rip near mouth & slight longshore drift getting covered by incoming SW swell. Some small waves entering the estuary
- Sand from N/E (gust 5-6) wind along channel blowing very large amount of sand into water
- Very large area of sand exposed on south side of estuary
- Water level much lower in estuary but sea grass area still covered. Only small area of sandbar exposed
- Immature White sea eagle over estuary
|
| #10363
|
14 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth very wide with fast flow. Dark discharge to east along foreshore & slight amount to west along cliffs
- waves high up on beach at east end, large amount of foam & silt in that area
- Channel turns east along beach, steep sides along channel 1.5-2m high
- High sand turbidity in out flow, water very dark & reddish in colour
- Beach higher at east end and at mouth
- Black silt under decomposing seaweed & iridescent 'skeins' forming on still water along low track
|
| #10359
|
13 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Despite mouth being open (P.O. 12/5/16) flood levels have risen overnight. Water is now completely over to the other side of the GOR
- OCR/wetlands area also has increased flooding(very large no of small fish observed in flood waters in this area)
- Dark discharge flowing out very strongly over a shallow area at entrance, east side of channel has sheer 1-2.5m high sides that are gradually collapsing into the strong out flow. Estuary front is still straight across from cliff to sand dunes
- Beach projects out to sea at both east & west ends, highest at centre with gentle slope down to ocean at mouth
- N wind blowing large amount of sand into channel
- Peregrine falcon at entrance
- no sequential photos were taken
|
| #10358
|
12 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Opening attempt 11/5/16 failed as very rough seas over night filled in the channel with sand
- More sand on berm, the largest rock is now almost completely covered
- 3rd P.O. commenced 09:00 in deep water (berm extended a long way into the estuary under water)
- Observations made at low tide
- Beach higher at midway with gentle slope down to ocean in front of estuary
- Wind from south on beach & from north across estuary & down channel
- 10:30 water strongly flowing out of new excavated channel
- OCR completely covered east of G2 bridge
- GOR water over to opposite side white line
- OOR road underwater to GOR
- Extensive flooding upstream on both sides of river channel
|
| #10357
|
11 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Channel completely filled in by high seas @ 08:30
- 2nd attempt at P.O. started @ 14:42 - this was abandoned because of dangerous conditions at about 15:30
- Channel dug nearly to swash line & sea entered along partly excavated deep channel into estuary, eels were going out to sea in this flow
- N wind creating strong waves in estuary travelling toward ocean.
- Increased flooding in all areas
- No sequential photos because of extreme conditions
|
| #10356
|
10 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth closed, channel from P.O. 20160509 has nearly completely filled with sand, but shallow narrow area beside cliff remains with return to ocean from waves entering across a wide area, some small fish going out in flow
- Winds from 5-7 everything getting sand blasted with strong gusts, sea V.rough, going high up all along beach & entering estuary. Beach 1/3 from estuary is slightly higher. Gradual slope down to ocean at mouth
- Wind from SE at Gp1, from S on beach at entrance, from N down estuary
- Longshore drift across mouth is being crossed over by SW swell, then meeting returning water creating surges in all directions
- Large build up of sand visible under water extending into estuary.
- Water is straight across channel & deep up against sand dunes below Gp1..Sand very soft & deep at entrance
- Boardwalk deck is partially under water, large no. small fish in water
- More rock falls at S end of cliff
- Water 2/3 over GOR
|
| #10355
|
9 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth closed
- Wave going high up on beach
- More rock falls with large rocks smashed
- Many small fish swimming near surface around G2
- 13:07 Attempted P.O. Narrow shallow channel dug with water flowing out to sea by13:41
- Flood water about 1/2 way across GOR
- Increased flood levels in all areas, water over road in camp ground
|
| #10354
|
7 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth barred, estuary almost straight across from cliff to dune (below Gp1 site). Waves going over but not reaching estuary
- Erosion occurring at southern end of cliff - small rock falls
- Flood levels increasing upstream & in wetlands. Many waterbirds in flooded areas also small fish
- OCR- water at sides of road but not across, west end of campground & adjoining property entrance under water. Picnic area & boardwalk wetland area flooded
- GOR -water about 1/3 across
- OOR -increased flood level at flood markers & water at sides of road further west toward GOR
|
| #10352
|
5 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth barred but waves over on very wide front, travelling up into estuary. Only salt return
- Waves up to dunes at east end from SW swell and high all along beach. Mid beach is higher with reduced wave cover
- Large amount of sand rolling back to ocean with backwash
- Waves tending to sweep around end of dunes below Gp1 and up into estuary. Large 'ripples' left from backwash
- Large amount of sand visible in breakers
- Less distance from estuary to sea, part of largest rock still above sand
- Weak longshore drift across mouth
- 2 Bitterns observed near flooded area OOR (early am.)Flood water depth increasing near flood markers and along sides of the road
- GOR -flood water at side of road
- Fishing platform under water with large no. Ibis in that area. Water only at sides of OCR but west end of camp ground well under
- Water through causeway almost to concrete bridge deck at G4
|
| #10350
|
4 May 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth closed but waves from V.rough/high sea over, some reaching estuary across a very wide front
- Backwash from waves rolling large amount of sand back to ocean leaving deep channels
- Waves very high up on beach at east end
- Dead mackerel at base of Gp1
- Low track under water up to car park, large amount of water on top track, deep water at west end of camp ground and at sides of OCR
- Water commencing to cross over OOR at flood markers
- Extensive flooding from Princetown to G4 and along south side of channel to G5
- Galaxias commencing to spawn in flooded areas.
|
| #10277
|
30 Apr 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Observations made near low tide
- Berm increased in length. More sand at ocean exposed & more build up out to sea
- Some waves have topped the berm but not gone far up the beach
- Beach, wide & curved. At east end, sand projection extending out to sea creating 2nd smaller bay
- WSW swell impacting strongly at east end with longshore drift travelling to projection but not much beyond that area
- Sand build up along berm higher near mouth, reducing in height as it nears western cliff
- Large amount of sand in waves in sea near mouth
- More erosion along southern end of cliff
- Peregrine falcon along cliff
- Top track has more water cover & water is over the low track up to ocean car park
- Run off in camp ground but no water over OCR. Water only along side of OOR at flood markers
- Princetown wetlands flooded up to G4
- Very large number of water birds in flood waters
- Many o/s tourists photographing birds on wetlands north of Township
- Hooded plover(3) sighted on Rivernook beach
- N wind strengthening throughout monitoring
|
| #10260
|
23 Apr 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth closed, some occasional waves from rough sea travelling about 20m. over the berm near the cliff face but not reaching the estuary
- Length of berm greatly reduced but large area of sand under very shallow water extends from channel into a large area of the estuary
- Waves from south directly impacting area near cliff
- Beach front has straightened out
- Large amount of sand visible in breakers out to sea, especially near western part of beach
- Water starting to come onto low area of top track, none on OCR & only in small areas near the flood markers on OOR (road has recently been reformed)
- Flats flooded from Princetown to G4. Also further upstream on south side only. Some water in all drains from recent run off
- Berm length 34.2m.
|
| #10250
|
16 Apr 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth barred -no flow
- Low track under water, small fish noted
- Sand cliff forming to east on Ocean beach
- Seaweed clumps near mouth & around into the estuary
- Sub surface sand at end of channel extending toward tunnel
- Berm length 84.2m
|
| #10236
|
5 Apr 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Mouth closed between 03/4/16 & 04/04/16. very shallow before that but waves from rough sea going over berm into estuary. Waves over at last hi tide 05/04/16
- Very long bar 82.5 m. but starting just around rocks and extending further into the estuary -channel completely filled in
- Berm not high, gradually slopping to ocean. Current swash line around rocks but some waves going further toward estuary
- Extremely large amount of seaweed along ocean beach, continuing around into the estuary & along low track. Also large clumps in water
- Ocean beach -horseshoe in shape with highest area about 1/3rd from west cliff
- Red scum/algae along waterline south side of estuary(blown by N wind)
|
| #10230
|
29 Mar 2016
|
Pending |
Notes:
- Narrow shallow flow along channel, between rocks & out over high sand build up. Channel very shallow from start (close to tunnel)
- Sheer 0.40m. side to channel close to rocks
- Previous high area of beach front east of outflow has been greatly reduced by waves from rough seas
- Waves have been high up to sand dunes on beach and around into estuary. Seaweed clumps all along beach and estuary extending along low track to near car park
- Sea rough, sand visible in breakers out from mouth.
- Strong longshore drift crossing over outflow & meeting SW swell resulting in waves in all directions in front of rocks
- Dark swash line along beach intensifying at east end.
- Low tide, possible to walk around to 2nd. beach(east) where large areas of cliff erosion & areas of deeply scoured sand have occurred. 2 Hooded Plovers in this area feeding along swash line
- 16 Silver gulls, 6 Terns on Princetown beach also 2 Pelicans on sand bar in estuary
|
| #10222
|
19 Mar 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- large amount of sand filling in the entrance from rough seas and strong wind.
- longshore drift travelling west across outflow being met by strong south west swell.
- some waves entering channel.
- pale discharge around mouth, practically obscured by waves.
- large amount of sand in breakers out to sea.
- beach sand cliff (small) at centre, rocks at east end exposed.
- sand bar and low track well exposed.
- some areas of exposed seagrass bleaching.
- brown algae scum on sand area on low track.
- iridescent algae left in water depression areas.
- large number of cabbage butterflies on sea kale at start of the low track.
- man small fish on the S/E section of estuary.
|
| #10220
|
16 Mar 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- discharge from the estuary was a pale colour.
- water levels in estuary are extremely low.
- large areas of seagrass are exposed.
- increase in seagrass distribution along the side of the lower track and in front of the fishing platform.
- about seven large dead fish in water from G2 to the mouth.
- small pipi shells stranded on drying seagrass.
- large no. of dead and dying small fish in depression with remaining water along the low track. Identified as gudgeons, tupong, galaxias and estuary perch.
|
| #10217
|
14 Mar 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- Steep sides of channel near mouth reduced in height (not ones near ocean)
- Sea rough, waves s/w swell with rip east of mouth meeting strong out flow all of which is being crossed by longshore drift ¿waves in all directions with some entering & traveling up channel.
- Sand bar well exposed with green algae on edges , especially on west side
- Seagrass well exposed along east side has recovered from exposure to drying out & new growth evident.
- Unfortunately many shrimp etc. and small fish have been stranded in this area.
- Further south near an isolated patch of Phragmities there is an extremely large fish kill of small fish- mainly Estuary Perch, flat head etc.
- Also at fishing area on river bank south of camp ground & around auto monitoring station many small shrimp are stranded.
|
| #10214
|
13 Mar 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- estuary mouth very wide.
- large amount of foam and sand in the sea and along the beach.
- some longshore drift across the mouth meeting south west swell.
- some waves entering and going upstream.
- many small fish stranded in pools now cut off from flow (estuary perch, flounder, flat head, mullet about 2-4cm)
- thousands of small fish in water and larger schools of tommy rough.
|
| #10211
|
12 Mar 2016
|
Approved |
Notes:
- estuary artificially opened at 13:00
- swash high up on beach.
- river very dark.
- more sand pushed into estuary around rocks.
- foam and algae removed by waves over berm during past few days.
- waves creating curved scoured area on the ocean side of the berm.
- excavation channel started at east side of estuary and curved toward the west. The channel is wide and shallow.
- flow after opening was steady. By 16:40 waves were travelling upstream.
- extremely large number of fish in shallow water near the start of the excavation channel.
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