Waikato River at Mercer Br
This site is only monitored for recreation every second year. Data from the past three monitored bathing seasons shows that the Overall Recreation Risk here is Low.
At this location the river bed consists of sand. The wide river is lined with willows and protective rip rap boulders.
Downstream from this point the river flows through farmland down to Tuakau and out to the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato. Upstream of this point the Waikato River is varied with crystal clear waters flowing into and out of Lake Taupo, the various hydroelectric dams downstream from there and through the city of Hamilton. The major tributary the Waipa River joins at Ngaruawahia and contributes a high sediment load to the lower river.
Landuse upstream of the monitoring site will affect the water quality. High flow events can also elevate the sediment and bacteria levels, which may lead to poor water quality and clarity.
