Waihao River

The Waihao River catchment drains the southern foothills of the Hunter Hills to the Pacific Ocean. The upper catchment includes native vegetation and tussock, while lower areas are mainly pastoral farmland. The river is opened to the coast by a permanent box structure at the mouth of the Waihao River and the Wainono Dead Arm/Waimate Creek.  The Waihao Box extends from the mouth of Waihao River out to the coast, preventing the shingle barrier from closing the river mouth, and facilitates drainage of flood waters from the Waihao River, Waimate Creek and Wainono Lagoon. The river supports native fish, irrigation, and coastal habitats.