| Title | Sinter-Forming Springs of the Waikato Region, NZ |
|---|---|
| Authors | K.M. Luketina, J. Lebe, A.D. Cody and B. Lynne |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Waikato region, sinter, hot springs, geysers |
| Abstract | Sinter-forming springs and geysers are among the rarest, the most vulnerable, the most spectacular and the most prized among the Waikato Region’s geothermal surface features. This paper summarises a Waikato Regional Council (WRC) Technical Report titled Sinter-forming Springs and Geysers of the Waikato Region (Cody et al, 2020, in prep) herein after referred to as “Sinter Springs”, that provides an inventory of sinter-forming springs and geysers in the Waikato Region (the Region), notes on their location, activity, characteristics, and any threats that they face. It is hoped that this report will assist in the preservation of these features by providing a guide to assist further monitoring. There are 169 sinter-forming springs in the Waikato Region, down from 668, and 51 geysers, down from 161, in the 1950s. The greatest loss of features was caused by the inundation of many features at Orakei Korako when the Ohakuri Dam was constructed for hydroelectric electricity generation, and by the extinction of features on the Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal System due to the large-scale extraction of deep geothermal fluid for the Wairakei Power Station. Ohaaki, Mangakino, Atiamuri, Ngatamariki, Mokai, and Rotokawa have also lost sinter-forming springs due to inundation of springs when hydro-electric lakes were created. Tokaanu-Waihi and Rotokawa have non-sinter-forming springs that are affected by lake and river level management. WRC’s policy framework under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) protects these features. Consequently, there has been little change in numbers since the 1990s when the policy was formed. |