ORC publishes research and strategy documents to help understand the geography and fluid dynamics of our rivers.
Channel morphology, river channel morphology or river morphology are all terms used to describe the shapes of river channels and how they change in shape and direction over time.
Because river channels are affected by the water flow and sediment movement, you may also want to view our publications on water quality, water quantity or soils.
Reports and publications - water quantity
Reports and information about Otago's water dynamics, where monitoring reveals strengths and challenges related to water quantity. ORC closely tracks indicators to assess river health and trends over time, and what affects water quantity and flows.
Reports and publications - water quality
We conduct regular State of the Environment (SoE) water quality testing at key sites across Otago. By focusing on catchment areas, we make informed decisions to manage Otago’s surface water resources. Our research and technical testing ensure ecosystem health.
Reports and publications - soil
Reports, publications and memos focusing on land use, environmental impacts, and mitigation in Otago, especially regarding water quality and nutrient management, offering insights for sustainable land practices.
April 2016
PDF | 1 MB
How bank erosion varies within catchments and the variable effectiveness of riparian interventions.
February 2010
PDF | 291 KB
Understanding the channel morphology and sedimentation characteristics of Otago’s rivers enables their effective management. The Otago Regional Council (ORC) undertakes scheduled cross-section surveys of selected rivers as part of its river monitoring programme. This information is used to understand the dynamic fluvial processes of the river and to establish the general state of the river’s channel morphology and gravel resource. The ORC has completed a study of the Cardrona River and the information contained in this report notes the main findings of the more comprehensive technical report Channel Morphology and Sedimentation in the Cardrona River.
October 2010
PDF | 1 MB
An analysis of channel morphology and sedimentation in surveyed reaches of the Kakanui River and Kauru River has been undertaken using aerial photography, cross-section surveys and relevant documentation. This information can be used to support assessment of community vulnerability and river management.
July 2008
PDF | 1 MB
Channel morphology and sedimentation in the Lower Clutha has previously been monitored using cross-section surveys at a limited number of sites from Beaumont bar downstream to the sea. Cross-section monitoring points are introduced here to extend the analysis of gravel resources upstream from Beaumont bar to Roxburgh dam. Although these are recent additions to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) cross-section monitoring program, previous surveys have been undertaken at many of these sites and this historical information has been collated and assessed in this report.
October 2008
PDF | 448 KB
The Rees River is 41 km long and drains a remote alpine catchment of 412 km2. The majority of the catchment is dominated by foliated semischist deposits derived from undifferentiated volcaniclastic sandstone and siltstone that are highly susceptible to physical weathering. Sediment supplies within the Rees River are primarily derived from the adjacent tributary catchments such as Twelve Mile and Precipice Creeks.
November 2009
PDF | 1 MB
ORC monitors Otago's river morphology and sedimentation through cross-section surveys to manage gravel extraction and flood risks amidst regional growth. This report examines changes in the Shag River's dynamics, offering insights for future river management.
November 2008
PDF | 524 KB
A desktop analysis of channel morphology and sedimentation in surveyed reaches of the Waianakarua River has been undertaken using aerial photography, cross-section surveys and relevant documentation. This information can be used to support assessment of community vulnerability and river management.
May 2016
PDF | 14 MB
This report assesses changes in the morphology of the Cardrona River using visual inspections, aerial and ground photography, and cross-section data collected in 2003, 2007, and 2015. This assessment provides an update on changes in channel morphology that have occurred since the last catchment-wide analysis of long-term trends in 2010 (ORC, 2010).
September 2013
PDF | 2 MB
This report reviews recent changes in the Rees River's channel morphology from Lovers Leap to Lake Wakatipu using cross-section surveys and LiDAR. It updates findings since ORC's 2008 analysis, helping assess flood risk and inform river management decisions.
September 2014
PDF | 2 MB
Changes in the Shag River/Waihemo's channel morphology were evaluated using visual inspections, aerial and ground photography, and cross-section data gathered in April 2009 and October 2013. This assessment updates changes since the 2009 catchment-wide analysis, focusing on significant alterations in channel morphology.
December 2014
PDF | 1 MB
The Waianakarua River's channel morphology changes were assessed using data from visual inspections, aerial and ground photography, and cross-sections collected. This report updates on observed changes since 2008 to guide river management decisions, including gravel extraction, floodwater conveyance, and asset management.
October 2015
PDF | 2 MB
The Kakanui River morphology and riparian management strategy, prepared by ORC with community input, aims to protect recreational, cultural, and ecological values of the riverbeds. It guides sustainable land use and activities, promoting community engagement and effective decision-making for long-term benefit.
May 2016
PDF | 8 MB
The Pomahaka River morphology and riparian management strategy, developed by ORC in collaboration with the local community, aims to preserve the recreational, cultural, and ecological values of the riverbed. It promotes sustainable land use and guides community engagement, informing decisions and activities for long-term environmental benefit.
March 2017
PDF | 1 MB
ORC is developing a river management strategy for the Pomahaka River, akin to the Kakanui River strategy available on their website. This strategy will inform decisions about activities in the river channel and riparian zones, focusing on the main stem from Dusky Forest to Conical Hill, with relevance to surrounding areas.
March 2016
PDF | 1 MB
ORC is developing a river management strategy for the Taieri River, similar to the Kakanui River strategy available on their website. This strategy will guide decisions on activities in the river channel and riparian areas, focusing on the main stem from Hyde to Matarae, with relevance to surrounding areas.
June 2018
PDF | 2 MB
May 2016
PDF | 15 MB
The ORC has developed a Taieri River morphology and riparian management strategy to safeguard its recreational, cultural, and ecological values. This strategy, outlined in accompanying diagrams, directs community, stakeholder, and ORC efforts toward sustainable land use along the river. Residents, workers, and recreational users within the Taieri River catchment are encouraged to support and implement the strategy's principles, objectives, and actions.
June 2018
PDF | 14 MB
June 2018
PDF | 25 MB
ORC's strategy for the Shag River/Waihemo aims to protect its recreational, cultural, spiritual, and ecological values. It guides community, stakeholder, iwi, and ORC actions for sustainable land use along the river. Residents and users in the catchment are encouraged to support its objectives.
