Tributary groups

We break our catchment up into smaller tributary group areas which allows to work with local landowners to find solutions applicable to their areas.

Here are some of the tribuary groups and some of their current focusses.

Upper Waikoikoi

Thanks to funding from Fonterra and the Otago Catchment Community, the Pomahaka Water Care Group is working with a small group of landowners in the upper Waikoikoi tributary to try to find ways to address water quality concerns.

The project began in June 2022 and will continue for at least a year, currently the focus is on collecting intensive water quality data to try and isolate hotspot areas.

Heriot Burn

A major tributary of the Pomahaka River, flowing into the mainstem upstream from Kelso.

The Heriot Burn has known populations of lamprey.

Projects in the past have involved intensive monitoring to identify catchment hotspots.

Crookston Burn

Another large tributary of the Pomahaka, flowing into the mainstem at Kelso.

The Crookston Burn has been a significant trout spawning area in the past.

Waipahi River

The largest tributary of the Ppmahaka, entering the Pomahaka downstream from the settlement of Waipahi.

The Waipahi River is home to the longest fishing competition in New Zealand, the Waipahi Gold Medal held each year in November.

Spylaw Burn

The Spylaw Burn is the most upstream of the major tributaries of the Pomahaka. Farms in this catchment are usually large extensive operations.