Geomorphology of the Wairau Plains Implications for floodplain management planning

L R Basher, I H Lynn & I E Whitehouse

Landcare Research Science Series No. 11

The Wairau River has some of the largest floods in New Zealand and despite having a comprehensive river control scheme, it poses a substantial long-term flood risk to Blenheim and the intensively developed Plains area.

This study discusses factors determining floodplain development and evolution. Such methods for understanding the past evolution and for predicting likely future changes to the floodplains can be used as an aid to effective long-term floodplain management.

Detailed soil mapping has been used as a tool for estimating the age of the floodplain and terrace surfaces, and hence the time since last major flooding. Two 1:50,000 colour soil maps are included from 1990 survey data.

2 colour maps

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Product information

Author: L R Basher, I H Lynn & I E Whitehouse
ISBN: 978-0-47-804539-0
Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press
Publication date: 1995
Pages: 42
Format: Spiralbound