Story: Soil erosion and conservation

Clean and dirty water

Clean and dirty water

The blue, clean water of Marlborough’s Wairau River (top) flows to the sea. The Wairau is a braided river that flows over gravel beds, has generally stable banks, is a source of irrigation, and is a famous fishing site. Just before it reaches the sea, it is joined by a muddy stream (foreground) flowing through previously forested, undeveloped mudflats. This stream carries a lot of sediment, visible on the inside of each curve. Erosion can be seen on the outside bends.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: G017064Rbt.jpg
Photograph by G. R. Roberts

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How to cite this page:

Paul Gregg, 'Soil erosion and conservation - Legislation and subsidies: 1960s–1990s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/19805/clean-and-dirty-water (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Paul Gregg, published 24 Nov 2008