Water monitoring is key to effective catchment management. It helps establish a baseline, supports planning, and tracks progress over time.
Check out this YouTube video for a step-by-step guide on taking water samples. With over 28,000 views, it’s a great starting point for beginners.
For more guidance, the WETMAK (Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Kit) offers practical advice on monitoring techniques to assess your wetland restoration projects.
Beginner-friendly resources available here include:
- Water Quality Terms Sheet
- Stream Health Assessment Worksheet
- Water Quality Fact Sheet
- Keep Our Water Clean (tips on managing soil and nutrients effectively)
- Tomahawk Lagoon Water Quality Report Card (a case study example)
These tools will help you better understand water quality and wetland health, ensuring your restoration efforts succeed.
Before monitoring, ask yourself:
- What are the water quality issues?
- What methods address these issues?
- What are the measurable goals?
- How do we set up a monitoring program?
- Will the methods provide useful feedback for management?
SHMAK KITS
Produced by NIWA, SHMAK kits or Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kits help to measure the health and wellbeing of your waterways.
For information on costs and purchasing contact instruments@niwa.co.nz
It would also pay to contact your regional council in case they have a kit available for loan.
WETMAK
Water Monitoring
A comprehensive set of modules designed to guide you through the process of wetland monitoring and assessment
Citizen Science
Citizen science involves community volunteers using practical field monitoring tools, that meet scientific best practice, to report on the state of their local environment.
Stream Health Assessment
This factsheet provides a straightforward stream health assessment, covering streambed conditions, algae, shading, bank stability, water chemistry, temperature, clarity, and the presence of aquatic macro-invertebrates
Water Sampling
This 2 page PDF factsheet explains the proper procedure for collecting water samples to ensure accurate testing results. It includes steps for labeling, sampling techniques, and storage to prevent contamination.
Water Quality Terms
A concise, one-page PDF factsheet outlining key terms related to water quality
Tomahawk Lagoon Water Quality Report Card
This case study presents data collected from five locations around the Lagoon. The findings are summarised in a concise, reader-friendly report designed to help you grasp the fundamentals of water quality.
Hooked on Native Fish
Water Monitoring
A bespoke selection of resources for New Zealand.
Freshwater Invertebrate Identification Guide - Poster - SHMAK
This brilliant diagramatic poster helps you to identify invertebrates by following simple yes/no questions.
Keeping our Water Clean
This PDF fact sheet outlines best management practices to help keep your valuable soil and nutrients on the farm.