River protection work in Marlborough reserve after ancient trees fall stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Flood waters had damaged sections of the short walking tracks within the reserve, about 40 kilometres west of Blenheim. One short section of track was taped off, closed to the public, since November 10 last year as it had been washed out. Department of Conservation South Marlborough operations manager Phil Bradfield said trees had fallen into the river due to erosion, and those trees had increased the flow of the river towards the riverbank, worsening the erosion.
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
The Ōhinemahuta River has changed course and is eroding the riverbank in the Onamalutu Scenic Reserve, threatening its ancient remnant podocarp forest.