Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam highlighted hydrological challenges in the Kawakawa catchment

Floodwaters spread wide through the Kawakawa catchment this week, submerging roads and paddocks and hinting at deeper issues upstream.

Following the storm, our Hydrological Engineer, Jonathan Cousins, took to the skies (and the roads) to capture a series of images supporting VISION’s catchment-wide feasibility study for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). These photos reveal how water moves—and where it gets stuck.

Moving downstream to upstream, here are some of the observations that stood out:

• Flooded agricultural plains

• Inundated crops and roads

• Erosion in steep hill country

These observations help us prioritise where NbS may be most effective – including slope planting, wetland reconnection, flowpath restoration, and land-smart interventions to reduce floodrisk improve water quality, and support biodiversity.

We at VISION are passionate about studying and understanding Northland’s flood challenges with hydrology. Contact us if you need help with a project!