Lake Taupo Foreshore Risk Management Strategy
On this page:
- Background
- Who is involved
- Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study
- Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Report
- Taupo District Flood Hazard Study
- Taupo District Flood Hazard Report
- Strategy Timeline
- Latest news
- Further information
Background
The Lake Taupo Foreshore Risk Management Strategy will focus on two key issues - lakeshore erosion and the effect of flooding on the lake foreshore areas and its tributaries.
The key objectives of the strategy are to:
- identify and assess the physical processes, hazards and risks associated with the Lake Taupo foreshore
- clarify roles and responsibilities between key agencies, including related work streams and information
- outline options and/or work programmes for addressing issues (including the development of a funding model)
- assist with the identification and implementation of land use controls through the district plan as appropriate.
The draft strategy will include recommended actions and a funding policy, and is due for completion by June 2008. Around $500,000 has been budgeted over a three year period to develop the strategy and begin implementing recommended actions. Some additional funding has been set aside for any urgent lakeshore protection works that may be required in the meantime while the strategy is being developed. Project costs will largely be shared between Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council.
An overarching Lake Taupo Foreshore Risk Management Strategy, that includes recommended options and a review of the existing funding policy, is due to be implemented from 1 July 2009.
As a basis for this strategy, studies looking at the extent and likely causes of erosion and flooding hazards around Lake Taupo's shoreline have been prepared. You can view the studies below.
Who is involved
Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council are working together with input from Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board (tangata whenua for Lake Taupo and statutory owners of the lake bed and its river and stream tributaries), to ensure that the issues are addressed systematically, comprehensively and fairly in the overall risk management strategy.
The need for the development of this strategy has been documented in the 2020 Taupo-nui-a-Tia Action Plan, and within the planning of Environment Waikato's Project Watershed. The strategy has also been identified within the 2006 Long-Term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) of both Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council.
There are a number of stakeholders who need to be involved throughout the development of this strategy. The following groups have been formed to recognise this requirement:
| Project management team | Tangata Whenua | Key stakeholders |
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Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study
Separate investigations are currently in progress to determine the erosion and flooding risk around the Lake Taupo foreshore and its tributaries, and to recommend measures to manage these hazards more effectively. These hazard studies will feed into the development of the overall strategy.
A study looking at the extent and likely causes of erosion around the Lake Taupo shoreline has been released.
The study is being undertaken in four key stages, as shown in the table below. The Lake Taupo Foreshore Erosion Study report documents the first three stages of the project, and has been available since December 2006.
| Stage | Details | Status |
| 1 | Review existing information | Completed |
| 2 | Identify information gaps or shortfalls | Completed |
| 3 | Undertake a full technical/hazard assessment looking at the location, causes and effects of erosion | Completed (report available for download in PDF format below) |
| 4 | Development of a risk based management strategy | Completed (report available for download in PDF format below) |
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Causes and Risks
A brochure has been prepared, that gives a summary of the study. The brochure is available for download in PDF format below:
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Causes and Risks
(564.8 kb, about 2.5mins to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study
Stage 3 released December 2006
The Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study is available for download in PDF format below. Due to the large size of this document, it has been split into multiple sections for ease of download. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - part i
(1.1 mb, about 5mins to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - part ii
(1.0 mb, about 4.5mins to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - part iii
(1.3 mb, about 6mins to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - part iv
(805.5 kb, about 3.5mins to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - part v
(1.4 mb, about 6mins to download, 56k modem)
Stage 4 released March 2008
A study on Lake Taupo erosion has identified a range of options for managing erosion at nine high risk sites around the lake. The recommendations focus on “soft” structural options like beach replenishment and re-vegetation along with further monitoring. The study indicates that no residential homes are at immediate risk however, portions of council reserves along the foreshore are threatened. At Waitahanui, Kuratau, and between Four Mile Bay and Waipahihi service pipes within the reserves could be at risk in the future.
You can download the erosion report in PDF format below.
Key notes - Lake Taupo Flood and Erosion Strategy
(28.2 kb, less than 1min to download, 56k modem)
Lake Taupo Shoreline Erosion Study - Stage 4
(5.0 mb, about 22.5mins to download, 56k modem)
The technical study was carried out by consultant Beca Infrastructure Ltd for Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato. The initial investigation (Lake Taupo Erosion Study – Stage 3) determined the extent of erosion around the lake foreshore and identified contributing factors. The latest stage of the study (Stage 4) which was completed this month concentrates on further analysis of nine high risk areas around the lake – identifying what’s at risk in those areas and recommending a range of possible management options. The study also includes an action plan and indicative costs for a range of physical works and monitoring at the high risk sites.
The technical findings in the erosion study and a similar flood hazard study which is due for release at the end of March will be taken out for public consultation during April and May. The technical information and feedback from the community and stakeholders will then be used to develop a Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy. The strategy, which is due for completion this year, will guide future management decisions, set out funding responsibilities and identify work programmes and timeframes.
The high risk erosion sites include Waitahanui, Hatepe, Motutere, Te Rangiita, Whangamata Bay (Kinloch) and Whakaipo Bay, Kuratau and Whareroa and the stretch of foreshore from Waikato River to Wharewaka Point – including Taupo township.
The study explains that erosion is influenced by a combination of natural factors (geology and wind) and human factors (management of lake levels, development, structures, a lack of sediment and vegetation removal). It says that although erosion is most evident during periods of high wind and high lake levels a lack of long term data and monitoring, coupled with the complexity of shoreline processes, make it difficult to establish the extent to which various factors are contributing to erosion. The study says a lake wide monitoring programme would provide the long term scientific data needed to assess how much each of the natural and human causes are influencing erosion.
The study also identifies a range of specific planning measures and physical works at each high risk site. The emphasis is on soft structural management options like beach replenishment and re-vegetation which will maintain the existing natural character of the shoreline. Indicative costings for a range of options have been included in the study to give people a general idea of the costs that could be involved. Further site specific investigation and community consultation is required to determine the true costs of each preferred option.
The options will be discussed with iwi and the community over the next two months to identify their priorities. These will be balanced with the technical recommendations during development of the Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy. The final Strategy will include an implementation plan and timeframes.
Taupo District Flood Hazard Study
This project will assess the flood hazard areas around the foreshore of Lake Taupo and its tributaries. The primary objectives of the study are:
- to assess the flood hazard risk throughout the district
- where necessary, to demarcate flood hazard zones for incorporation into the Taupo District Plan
- to determine appropriate policies and an implementation framework
- to identify appropriate floor levels for buildings in flood prone areas.
The secondary objectives are to use this study (combined with the Lake Taupo Foreshore Erosion Study) to develop a strategy for the management of Lake Taupo's foreshore and hazard zones, and to feed outcomes of these studies into district and regional council planning documents.
The study is being undertaken in four key stages, as shown in the table below. The Taupo District Flood Hazard Study Stages 1 and 2a report will be available in March 2008.
| Stage | Focus area | Status |
| 1 | Lake Taupo foreshore | Completed (report available for download in PDF format below) |
| 2a | Tongariro and Tauranga-Taupo rivers | Due April 2008 |
| 2b | Tokaanu Stream | Due late 2008 |
| 2c | Other Lake Taupo tributaries | Due by 2009 |
All stages will include the provision of:
- flood hazard maps
- ponding maps
- a tectonic overlay
- a wind overlay
- a methodology report
- policy and implementation options.
Taupo District Flood Hazard Report
A report looking into the flood hazards around Lake Taupo's foreshore has been completed. The flood study by Opus Consultants has been jointly funded by Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council to identify the extent of the flood risk around the Lake Taupo foreshore. The study says the extent and depth of potential flooding results from a combination of physical processes (rainfall, run off, waves, tectonic deformation, future climate change, seiching*) and human and economic factors (lake level management for hydro power generation, land use change.) *seich is the slopping back and forth of water in an enclosed basin.
The study identifies that the various factors affecting the lake combine in an infinite number of different ways that vary over time to produce different flood events. The terrain around the lake also determines the extent and depth of flooding from site to site e.g. low lying areas are more susceptible.
Following analysis of all the factors the study has identified two potential hazard zones based on a one hundred year event, which is accepted as best practice for hazard planning. An initial “inundation hazard zone” is based on those areas which are likely to be covered with water during a 1 in 100 year flood event. The second “wave hazard zone” identifies areas above the inundation zone where wind causes waves to push water up onto the land. The two zones have been separated because future development in either zone may need to have different planning and building controls applied to reflect the different risks. Both hazard zones include adjustments for the estimated effects from climate change and tectonic movement over the 100 year timeframe.
Tonkin & Taylor have peer reviewed the methodology used to identify the flood hazard zones and consider that it is suitable given the complexities of the factors influencing the lake when it floods.
Maps showing the hazard areas are being prepared for each of the settlements areas around the Lake Taupo foreshore. In line with legislative requirements, once the council is satisfied that the mapping accurately reflects the reality on the ground, the new flood information will be included on Land Information Memoranda (LIM) and Project Information Memoranda (PIM) for affected properties. Letters will also be sent out to property owners in the affected areas informing them of the study findings and how their property might be affected. Further information on specific properties around the entire lake foreshore will be available once maps are completed.
You can download the report as a pdf below:
Key facts flood March 25 2008
(25.7 kb, less than 1min to download, 56k modem)
Taupo District Flood Hazard Study - stage 1 Lake Taupo foreshore
(2.0 mb, about 9mins to download, 56k modem)
Opportunities for feedback
Council staff will be on hand to talk about the findings in the Lake Taupo Flood Hazard Study and the recently completed Lake Taupo Erosion Study at open days as follows:
- Tuesday 8 April, 12 midday to 7 pm at the Great Lake Centre, Taupo
- Wednesday 9 April, 12 midday to 5 pm at the Turangi Service Centre
- Thursday 10 April, 12 midday to 5 pm at the Mangakino Council Offices
- Saturday 12 April, 10am to 3 pm at the Acacia Bay Hall, Taupo
Final recommendations and actions will be included in a Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy that is due for completion towards the end of the year. Formal public consultation will be sought before the Strategy is adopted for implementation in the 2009/2010 financial year.
Latest news
For the latest news from Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council, keep an eye on our media releases:
Further information
For further information or enquiries email us or call Environment Waikato's Freephone 0800 800 401.
