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The lake is subject to a Joint Management Plan between the Department of Conservation and Te Runanaga o Ngai Tahu. This is a statutory plan which aims for integrated management of the natural and historic resources in the plan area, for Mahinga Kai and conservation purposes. The Canterbury Regional Council is responsible for water-quality monitoring in the lake and tributaries, pest management, and maintaining a system of drains in the Halswell Drainage District. The Selwyn District and the Christchurch City Councils manage networks of drains and lakeside recreation reserves and are responsible for the protection of natural resources in their districts.
The lake is opened mechanically approximately three times a year to stop the surrounding farmland being inundated. Lake opening criteria are set by a National Water Conservation Order and by resource consents under the RMA, which include research projects on the effects of lake-opening, and consultation with interested parties.
The Water Conservation Order application was first lodged in 1988, and the accompanying report sets the out reasons why the Lake was considered outstanding for wildlife habitat, particularly for waterfowl and wading birds.
In December 2010 the Department of Conservation and Ngai Tahu applied for a variation to the existing Water Conservation Order which, amongst other things, proposed that further categories of outstanding feature be added.
A hearing in May/June 2011 to consider submissions resulted in recommended changes to the National Water Conservation Order (WCO). The commissioners’ report and the recommended wording for the WCO is included in a set of Environment Canterbury agenda papers, which can be found on their website. Environment Canterbury accepted these recommendations and forwarded them to the Minister for the Environment. The changes were gazetted in August 2011 and are effective from Setptember 22, 2011.
Other pages about the lake:
About the Lake | Hydrology | Life in the Lake | Management | Opening the Lake
The 2006 decision by Hearing Commissioner Dr Brent Cowie on current Lake opening protocols can be found here.