Hoopers Inlet Swamp

Description: Saltmarsh and swamp area behind Allans Beach on eastern side of Hooper's Inlet. 1

Type/Class: Swamp. 2 

Size: 32.0 ha.

Altitude: 0-20 m above sea level.

Approximate location: 1 km South of the intersection of Cape Saunders Road and Allans Beach Road, Hoopers Inlet. NZTM (centre point): E1420300 N4917700

Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.61, Map F54.

Territorial Authority: Dunedin City Council

 

Interactive map of Hoopers Inlet Swamp

Recorded Values

Value Description
A4 High degree of wetland naturalness.
A5 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Scarce wetland type: sequence from saltmarsh community to fresh water swamps dominated by cutty grass/rautahi (Carex coriacea), Carex virgata, Carex gaudichaudiana and knobby clubrush/wīwī (Isolepis nodosa).1 Less than 15% of swamps remain in Otago. 2
A1, A2, A6-A9 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information

  • Presence of 'salt meadows' (areas of low growing saline vegetation). These are a unique indigenous vegetation type found just above the high tide mark. Vegetation is dominated by remuremu (Selliera radicans), sea primrose/maakoako (Samolus repens) and shore cotula (Leptinella dioica), with Puccinellia sp. and glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora). Along the edges taller plants are found such as jointed wire rush/oioi (Leptocarpus similis) and salt marsh ribbonwood/houi (Plagianthus divaricatus). 36

  • Much of the wetland is in a Department of Conservation Reserve. 1

  • Listed as an Area of Significant Conservation Value in the Dunedin City District Plan, where it is described as an estuary with mudflat, saltmarsh and reed swamp, succulent herb swamp, and of national and local significance. 28

  • Hoopers Inlet Swamp is adjacent to the coastal marine area, which is covered by the Regional Plan: Coast for Otago.

 

Aerial View of Hoopers Inlet Swamp (March 2006)

 

 

Hoopers Inlet Swamp (2005) “51”

 

 

Salt meadow on Hoopers Inlet Swamp (2005)“51”

 

References

1 Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.

2. Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P, (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

28. Dunedin City Council (1999) Dunedin City District Plan. Published by the Dunedin City Council, Dunedin.

36. Pers comm A. Rebergen, Biodiversity Officer - Otago Regional Council (2003).

51. Otago Regional Council - Photo Archive.