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ROXBURGH GORGE

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SIGNATURE:

schist rock outcrop, gold mining remains in stone (water races, huts, tailings), kanuka shrubland, absence of contemporary cultural elements

DESCRIPTION:

Between Alexandra and Roxburgh Dam, the Clutha River is actually a narrow lake, the reservoir for the Roxburgh Dam blocking the downstream end of this section. It will be referred to as the river however for the purposes of this section.

The river has maintained an ancient course through low (montane) but slowly rising fault-block ranges, cutting a narrow deep asymmetric antecedent gorge. The river is broadly sinuous but follows a kinked path, exploiting weaknesses in the rock. The river runs southwest from Alexandra for about 17km then turns in a sharp bend at Gorge Creek to flow in a more southerly direction in a meandering course for a further 7 km before kinking sharply east then south again to flow a straight course the remaining 3km or so to the Roxburgh Dam.

The first part of the gorge from Alexandra to Butchers Gully is straight and narrow with steep generally planar walls rising to a low rocky plateau on the true right at 260-2S0m asl. On the true left rolling rock-studded country rises away from the 200m high walls to elevations of 300-S00m. From Butchers Gully to Gorge Creek the gorge is most strongly developed, with steep broadly planar walls with sills of rock forming lines of bluffs emerging from masks of colluvium in places. The walls of the gorge have slumped extensively creating uneven micro topography. This is the deepest part of the gorge. The flat top of Flat Top Hill, a long, narrow, northeast to southwest trending rocky ridge, is around SOO-S70m asl, To the east the high walls rise to SOO-600m elevation, and are the western edge of an extensive peneplain surface of the Knobby Range which roll away to the east to elevations of 1000m or more. From Gorge Creek to the Roxburgh Dam the gorge becomes more of a deep steep-walled valley entrenched in softer more rolling terrain gradually decreasing in height to around 2S0-300m ast. On the true right, the fault block forms a rolling northeast sloping shelf al.ong the base of the Old Man Range, traversed by SHS from which there are occasional glimpses of the river far below framed in the V of deeper tributary valleys.

There is little depositional landform in the river valley, limited to two very small isolated terraces of outwash surface. There were narrow alluvial terraces in the past which were extensively worked for gold; however with the flooding of the valley these have been drowned.

Tor fields and fretted rock surfaces are extensive over these block mountain areas, which combined with the semi-arid climate give a strong impression of harsh condttions for plants and animals alike.

Most of the rolling plateau surface either side of the river is Class VI LUC, grading into Class VII lands closer to Alexandra because of the extremely dry wind exposed conditions; and the steep sides of the Gorge are also Class VII lands. The "softer" rolling shelf on the true right downstream of Gorge Creek supports Class IV lands and has cultivated areas of green pasture.

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Photos clockwise starting above:

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Thick kanuka and grey scrub on steep rocky faces is a feature of the lower gorge

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Upper end of gorge, with lower plateau area between Butchers Creek and Alexandra, being subdivided for lifestyle blocks

VIew up-river from nea r Roxburgti Dam

View downriver from Gorge Oreek There is more development on true right shoulder, as well as the highway and pylon lines.

Flat Top Hill Conservation Area on true right, showcase for dry land ecosystems

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Roxburgh Gorge viewed trorntop of Flat Top Hill

The uplifted block mountains have been well dissected by stream action. Some of the tributary streams have formed deep rocky V shaped valleys cut down to the level of the Clutha.

A trellis drainage pattern is typical of the eastern upland area. The Knobby Range area is less dissected and comprises more deeply weathered strongly rolling country.

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Land cover has been greatly modified by decades of burning and grazing. Rabbit plagues of the late 1800's were particularly instrumental in modifying the cover. Kanuka woodland and totara forest and grey scrub would have naturally covered the area. Today there is a sparse brown grey and ochre cover of plants able to withstand browsing and the extreme conditions ~ scabweed (Raoulia spp.), widespread thyme and haresfoot trefoil creating purplish brown and pink hues over the lower hill slopes; patches of sweet brier; kanuka remnants, with matagouri with occasional olearia and coprosma; cassinia and spear grass on the rolling tops; various grasses and annuals both native and exotic; and scattered short tussock. More extensive kanuka cover is a feature of valley walls downstream.

A large part of Flat Top Hill has been retained by the Crown as conservation land. It is regarded as a showcase for special dry land flora and fauna such as spring flowering annuals and an abundance of lichens and particular moth species that live on them; it is an excellent example of Otago's quintessential semi-arid schist tor montane grassland landscapes. It contains a variety of habitats including saline sites, and native species lost through burning and grazing are returning such as elymus grass and cassinia shrubs. It is one of the country's driest range land reserves and is in one of the three Special Areas along the river in the DOC Management Strategy for Otago conservancy.

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The location of this section in the most inland place in New Zealand puts it squarely in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps. The cUmate is semi-arid, sub-continental, enjoying long hot dry summers and intensely cold winters but with many calm clear days. Rainfall is very low, only 300-400mm per annum. In 1963, Alexandra received only 165mm of rain in a 12 month period. There is often a temperature inversion in winter with low fog persisting well into the day sometimes swaddling the river corridor in mist although it is likely to clear faster in the gorge due to air drainage and mixing. Where there are foggy conditions persisting coupled with freezing temperatures hoar frost occurs - a feature of "Central".

These ambient climatic conditions contribute significantly to the special character of this section of the liver.

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Land use is restricted to very extensive sheep grazing over the drier land to more intensive sheep and cattle grazing over the slightly moister rolling plateau surface further downstream where some cultivation is possible. The land between the river and the foot of the Old Man Range of the true right of the river downstream of Gorge Creek is less remote and harsh in character with more cultivated land and greener pastures, farm buildings and several dwellings, along with the state highway and several pylon lines. On the upstream true right of the river, Flat Top Hill is nature conservation land administered by the Department of Conservation. It is regarded as an important area of dry land ecosystems.

Consequently there are no buildings and few cultural features along this relatively remote section of river although past Gorge Creek the state highway and farmhouses and the tavern at Shingle Creek are only about 1.Skm away from the river.

Closer to Alexandra the lower rock studded rolling terrain north of Butchers Gully is being developed for lifestyle blocks. The rocky faces to the southeast of Alexandra are too rugg.edand dry for any use but extensive grazing or more conservative uses. Wilding pines are an expanding threat in

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REACHES:

this area.

Numerous rock shelters, ruins of stone cottages, piles of tailings and sections of water races are present along much of the lower gorge slopes, testament to a time of hard manual labour in extreme conditions both climatically and domestically. They too add much to the distinctiveness of the gorge. Many of these can be seen from the Doctors Point track, a fanner bridle path now promoted for walking and mountain biking through the gorge. Further downstream opposite 14 Mile Creek is the Herron's cottage, a stone store built to supply the gold rush of 14 Mile Creek. Great appeal lies in these structures because they are hand made using the stone of the landscape.

This section of the river is perhaps the most remote section, being the most removed from roads, settlements and dwellings and experiences the harshest conditions of anywhere along the river.

Alexandra to Butchers Dam

lewer @0'lJe sides, less dissection, housingllifestyle bloGks aod urbaA areas on true right

Butchers Dam to Gorge Creek

southwest trend, sheer high g0rge sides, conservation land on true right" extensive gold mining relics

south trend, more varied topography, some cultivated land and the highway 01'1 true rigt'lt plateau, patches of kanuka, l.ower sides

lower valley sides, more rolling terrain, getting moister, better grass GOver, dam structure at end

Gorge Creek to The Bend

"'Jihe lBer.1m to the Dam

SPECIAL PLACES:

Mix of natural and cultural sites and areas; includes large Flat Top Hill conservation area for dry land ecosystem; patches of important shrublands; extensive remains of gold mining activity and a walking/biking return track to them from Alexandra; also McKenzies Beach, the only vehicle/boat access within the gorge

LAND TYPE: 22 Old Man-Old Woman and

23 Knobbys

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OCMS LCA:

ORLSLCA:

Old Man District (WAIKAIA REGION), hill and range land from Flat Top Hill to top of Old Man Range, all land west of the river as far as Shingle Creek then

Umbrella District (WAIKAIA REGION), from Shingle Creek to the dam on true ri.ght

Maniototo District (CEN:rRAL OTAGO REGION), true left of gorge from Butchers Dam to Alexandra

Manorbum District (CENTRAL OTAGO REGION), all hilllplateau country southeast of Alex

Range and Basin BR5 (Alexandra) to Butchers Dam

Range and Basin BR3 (Roxburgh) from Butchers Dam southward

16 Maniototo (basin floor including from Butchers Dam to Alexandra) 10 Dunstan (Old Man Range) to west and

13 Lammertaw to the east, all true left land

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QUALITY ATTRIBUTES:

Naturalness high

although very modified by burning and grazing and AOSTD, extensive pastoral use has maintained a highly natural character enhanced by rock outcrop and tors and remaining shrubland. No settlement or roading within the river landscape, overwhelming dominance of natural landform including a natural looking lake, land cover and mostly natural pJocesses.

Distinctiveness high Vividness Memorability

due to rugged terrain rising sheer from water's edge with extensive rock outcrop and tors, very arid looking, relatively very natural looking, remains of gold mining activity built of stone, arid appearance in contrast to blue waters, patches of kanuka distinctive

Uniqueness

moderately high

there is one other rocky gorge on the Clutha through hill country (Cromwell Gorge) and the nearby Kawarau Gorge also cuts through semi-arid hill country. This gorge is enclosed by lower plateau terrain as opposed to higher mountain range terrain and isthe driest of the three. There is also no highway passinq through and less cultural impact.

Legibility

high

very well defined dramatic landform (gorge). More detailed landform structure and topography clearly visible under uniform cover of grassland and patchy scrub. Little land development and no tree cover to mask and confuse natural patterns however extensive modification of vegetation cover weakens legibility.

Coherence

moderately high

uninterrupted flow of landform and natural patterns of land cover, heavy modification of vegetation cover has weakened coherence. Marked absence of discordant tracking and fenCing, absence of structures. Mining relics blend in as small scale and made of stone.

Complexity Diversity Mystery

variable moderate, high

straight sections of gorge hold less mystery within them but overall bends in the gorge support this attribute. Extensive rock outcrop supports this attribute as do the mining relic areas where one can explore. Although simple palette of landscape elements with high predictability of occurrence, the patterns and inter-relationships are unpredictable and need to be discovered to be known.

Open Character

high

absence of tree cover, tall shrubland and structures; and absence of fragmentation of the land supports a very open character. Gorge does provide large scale enclosure however.

Openness

high

due to absence of development and predominance of extensive pastoral and conservation land uses.

Solitude

high

within the gorge, there are no roads, dwellings, active land uses or signs of domestication. There is only one public area with an access road to it for picnics and boat launching (McKenzies Beach). Level of use of walking track does not greatly affect this quality. Highway is elevated well above the gorge, more noticeable from on top of the gorge sides, as is the car-park and interpretation walk for Flat Top Hill Conservation Area.

Overall Landscape Qual~

HIGH

Natural Character

The Roxburgh Gorge has a high degree of natural character due to the absence of more intensive primary development and any residential development. Extensive pastoralism and nature conservation are the only uses of the land about the lake, maintaining an open expanse of grassland and scrub in natural patterns. The dominant elements are natural landform, rock outcrop, a natural looking lake, grassland and woody plants. Buildings, fences, cultivated pasture, trees, roads and tracks are only minimally present.

There are built cultural elements (relict stone cottages and shelters, parts of water races, tailings) but because of their small scale and rock construction they blend in very well, in fact they are hard to see from out on the lake. The walking track to Doctors Point from Alexandra does not form a noticeable line. There are some greener cultivated areas on the true right, on rolling country nearer the highway however these areas are not visible from within the gorge. From viewpoints looking down into the gorge, the presence of pylon lines, the highway, the occasional building and cultivated paddocks on the true right between Gorge Creek and the dam does not significantly detract from the natural character because of the relative scale and dominance of natural landform, water body and natural vegetation cover. The vegetation cover is in fact highly modified through repeated burning, grazing and AOSTD and contains many exotic species and many native species have disappeared especially woody plants. Whilst the degradation may be obvious there is a dominance of natural elements in natural patterns, and fire and burning are natural processes (although AOSTD is not). Overall the vegetation cover can be described as natural in appearance, especially compared to the intensively developed basin floor areas.

The lake is of cultural origin but it has a natural form and can be described as a natural feature. A natural landslide dam could create the same kind of lake.

The dam itself is a large cultural built element however it is right at the end of this section of river landscape and has little effect on the landscape experience upstream of its location. There is less willow growth along the lake edge in this section.

Threats

• development of areas for formal recreational use and amenity value (ornamental tree planting, signage, toilet facilities, shelters, etc)

• development of land for more intensive uses close to the river/lake

especially vineyards, tree crops, orchards and irrigated pasture and crops

• mining

• increase in presence of structures along or crossing the river

• modification of the river channel (lake edges)

• wilding pine spread on adjacent hillsides

• insensitive tracking and fence lines on nearby hillsides

• uncontrolled spread of gorse, broom, lupins, sweet brier, willows, poplars

Opportunities

• encourage indigenous cover on areas near the river/lake especially where a

woody cover is appropriate and there is good ecological opportunity

• remove wilding pines, gorse and broom, control willows and sweet brier

• remove willows and plant more appropriate exotic and native species

• encourage development to keep away from the river or lake or at least to create a substantial natural landscape buffer

• sensitive and discreet siting of tracks, roads and structures including any recreational facilities; maintain a low level of development for recreational use of the lake side areas with low impact tracking, minimal well designed facilities and well designed interpretation signage

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• • • SPECIAL ROUTE

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LEGEND

1 SPECIAL PLACE

1 Butchers Dam

curved concrete dam with walkway across it

Areas with numerous relics from gold mining era (rock shelters, stone hut ruins,

water race remnants, tailings)

Flat Top Hill Conservation Area

Walking/cycling route Alexandra to Doctors Point

LIMIT OF VIEWSHED

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA AND RIVER SECTION BOUNDARY

RIVER LANDSCAPE CORRIDOR

IMPORTANT BACKDROP LANDSCAPE

• ••• RIVER REACH BOUNDARY

PRELIMINARY RIVER LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT MAP 5a ALEXANDRA TO ROXBURGH DAM (ALEXANDRA TO GORGE CREEK)

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IMPORTANT VIEW OF RIVER FROM HIGHWAY

CLUTHA MATA AU PARKWAY PROJECT

A lint: ~~~~!:I(even lANDSCAPE ARCHIT.ECT

May 2006

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LEGEND

1 SPECIAL PLACE

MacKenzies Beach

shingle/dirt road to a cove picnic and boat launching area

2 old stone hut 3 Herrons Store

stone store building, site of the 14 Mile Gold Workings, European and Chinese, 4 stone cottage ruin

5 Memorial to the Miners

memorial erected in memory of miners

who perished trying to follow the Snow Pole Route on the Old Man Range in the big storm of 1863; also approximate site of Chamonix, a tent village

Areas with numerous relics from gold mining era (rock shelters, stone hut ruins, water race remnants, tallings)

Area of Significant Inherent Landscape Value identified in Tenure Review

Recommended Area for Protection (shruba nds)

Old Man Eoological District RAP 10

LIMIT OF VIEWSHED

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA AND RIVER SECTION BOUNDARY

RIVER LANDSCAPE CORRIDOR

,IMPORTANT BACKDROP LANDSCAPE

• ••• RIVER REACH BOUNDARY

IMPORTANT VIEW OF RIVER FROM HIGHWAY

PRELIMINARY RIViER LANDSCAIPE CORRIDOR MAP 5b ALEXAN:DRA TO ROXBURGH DAM (GORGE CREEK TO ROXBURGH DAM)

CLUTHA MATA AU PARKWAY PROJECT

A 11 n e ~~~Stcven LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

May.2006