Design for the new Harbour entrance works is progressing and in order to obtain additional wave information to inform the design, Coastal Engineers from Tonkin + Taylor have recently deployed wave monitoring instruments close to Opotiki.
The instruments are made up of both a wave buoy and a seabed wave probe and can measure wave heights, wave periods and wave directions. The wave probe is located near the end of one of the proposed training walls, and is marked by an orange buoy (see photo). The wave buoy is placed further offshore, around 1.2km from the beach, and is made up of a series of 3 buoys, one yellow and black, and the other two orange (see photo). The data collected from the wave buoys will be used in the design of the river training walls to size the rock and concrete armour units.
The wave buoys were deployed with the help of the Opotiki Coastguard with special thanks to Skipper Cassie Jones, Navigator Karlene Castles, and President Jonesy. The wave buoys and marker floats will be deployed for approximately 2 to 3 months and will then be retrieved - again with the help of the Coastguard.
The buoys are anchored to stop them getting moved in large storms but if they do move the equipment sends continuous location and monitoring data to ensure it can be found. The equipment is located east of the harbour entrance. If you see these Buoys when boating, please do not touch the buoys but keep at least 100m away so as not to interfere with the data recording. If you find these buoys washed up on the shoreline, please contact the name on the tag on the buoys, or contact Council.
