"An exploration of gravel river dynamics on the Takaka River"

Jon Tunnicliffe is an Associate Professor in River Science and Geomorphology at the School of Environment, University of Auckland. He studies how rivers move and store gravel and sediment, using field surveys, repeat LiDAR mapping and computer models of river change. He works closely with regional councils, iwi and Crown Research Institutes on practical river management, runs training workshops in river science for regional council staff and supervises postgraduate research on NZ rivers.

In this presentation on gravel river dynamics he will introduce the core principles of river geomorphology through the history of the Takaka River: the Cobb Dam, channel straightening and stopbanks in the lower valley, and decades of gravel extraction each reveal something about how rivers work. He will 'follow the gravel' - where it comes from, where it settles, and how removing it or confining the channel affects flooding - drawing on the river's own past, comparable rivers elsewhere and computer models, and consider what this means for living with the river in Golden Bay.

Supported with funding from TDC Community Grant