Record weeds removed from Punahau Lake Horowhenua
A record amount of weed has been removed from Punahau Lake Horowhenua in an effort to keep the lake water healthy.
Horizons Regional Council said 425 tonnes of lake weed had been removed from a 79-hectare area of the lake. A weed harvester operated on the lake from December to February.
Horizons chairperson Rachel Keedwell said removing the weed helped to improve the health of the lake, reducing the risk of elevated pH and ammonia levels, and cyanobacteria blooms.
“These toxic conditions not only make the lake unsuitable for recreational use, but also have negative impacts on fish and other aquatic life in the lake, which can also impact the estuary and coastal environments further downstream.”
The weed removal was undertaken as part of a partnership between Horizons, lake owners Lake Horowhenua Trust, and Muaūpoko Tribal Authority under the Lake Horowhenua Accord.
Lake Horowhenua Trust deputy chairperson Dean Wilson said that the collaborative approach had been a positive step.
“Punahau is a taonga for Muaūpoko, and the condition of the lake has a significant impact on the spiritual wellbeing of our people.
“We remain hopeful that our partnership will one day see our precious taonga restored, and go some way to easing some of the deep mamae caused by its pollution.
“Our ultimate goal is to restore the mauri of the lake so our tamariki and mokopuna can visit and enjoy the area as our ancestors were once able to.”
Muaūpoko Tribal Authority chief executive officer Di Rump said the partnership was one of several strategies between the trust, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and the council.
“This is a continuation of the mahi which commenced under the Lake Horowhenua Accord. Since the formation of the accord, we have been working towards improving lake health.
“We hope to continue these efforts so one day this place will be a healthy and thriving ecosystem and recreation destination.”
Horizons group manager of catchment operations Jon Roygard said the two main weed species removed were curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and elodea (Elodea canadensis) which were then composted.