Stream Health series Video 4: Further Monitoring Options
Channel: Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Date: 2021-07-27

There are lots of ways to assess freshwater ecosystem health and Dr Death takes us through a number of different methods farmers can use to assess their waterway health in greater detail.

Whilst it is suggested the Stream Health Check is done in summer during low flows when the waterway is most stressed, it is also important to observe your waterways after heavy rain or adverse weather events as this may identify other unidentified critical source areas.  It is also important to consider where you are in the catchment, a headwater stream can have good Ecological Health but could still carry contaminants that are higher than background levels and potentially have a cumulative effect on downstream receiving bodies.