Recreation information has moved to the "Can I Swim Here?" section of LAWA
This area was heavily impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and swimming is currently not recommended.
Esk River is located along the Napier Taupo highway in the Esk Valley 15 minutes drive from Napier.
The surrounding land use is predominantly sheep/beef farming with some orchards and forestry.
Elevated bacteria levels are generally observed after heavy and prolonged rainfall, when surface water runoff from adjacent farmland drains into the river.