Taupo Lake Level Impacts on Foreshore Erosion
The focus of this study was to assist the Waikato Regional Council with expert technical assistance for decision making in regards to water level management of Lake Taupo.
The focus of this study was to provide Waikato Regional Council (WRC) with expert technical assistance in relation to decision making on whether or not to initiate a review of Mighty River Power's (MRP) resource consents for the Waikato Hydro Scheme, essentially MRP's management of water levels in Lake Taupo. Resource consents were granted to MRP bu independent commissioners acting under delegation for the WRC in 2003. Following appeals to the Environment Court, these consents commenced in 2006. Following strong advocacy for such a review from some lake shore residents and the Taupo District Council in particular, with the primary issue being lake shore erosion and the extent to which erosion is being exacerbated by MRP's management of Lake Taupo lake levels, a review of all appropriate literature was conducted in conjunction with a site visit in order to determine any adverse effects of MRP's operating regime on the Lake Taupo foreshore.
