This site on the Oratia stream provides quite a good habitat for
macroinvertebrates. There is good shade which helps to keep the water
cool. Upstream of the sample site there are orchards and bush, a bridge
and there is also a dry detention pond to slow down the stormwater
runoff before it enters the stream.
At the sampling site, there is an area of grass on each side of the
river and the houses on both sides are set back from the river. The
stream itself has a muddy bed with quite a few submerged logs, which
provide a good habitat for freshwater crabs. The fact that the trees at
this point along the stream are not natives, may affect the
macroinvertebrates that are found here. When we visited, there was a
reasonable amount of submerged rubbish such as an old vacuum cleaner and
some concrete blocks. There was quite a small range of bugs found at this site, but the
presence of stone flies and may flies suggests good water quality.
