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Surface water is important for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of all Southlanders. Surface water
is used for a variety of purposes including domestic and municipal takes, agricultural, industrial, irrigation
and forestry operations. The demand for these uses must be balanced against what is required to maintain the
ecological wellbeing of waterways and protect in-stream values.
The consumptive use of surface water resources can place pressure on the ecological wellbeing of waterways in
various ways. Rivers support a range of in-stream values that are largely sustained by a sufficient quantity of
water and a particular flow regime. Lowered water levels can reduce the area of habitat available for fish
species and stream bugs, especially in shallow, wide, streams. Species such as trout, eels and other native fish
may be affected by higher water temperatures, lower dissolved oxygen levels, reduced feeding opportunities and
poorer water quality in general. Surrounding vegetation, such as in wetlands, may be affected by lowered water
tables.
If the flow regime and habitats are altered significantly, recreational values and pursuits can be affected,
e.g. poorer quality fisheries or reduced bathing, boating or kayaking opportunities.
Surface Water Resource Zones
In Southland, our surface waterbodies have been divided into 17 surface water zones (SWZs). These are
predominantly based on catchment boundaries and combine areas with similar geographical features. The zones are
used as management units for monitoring and water allocation frameworks.