The mysterious Liffey

Carrying on with water themed images, today's is of the Liffey stream that runs through Lincoln.

Fed by springs to the northwest of the township, the Liffey becomes the L I stream, a tributary of the LII river which in turn flows into Lake Ellesmere.

This part of Canterbury is populated with many small rivers, streams, drains and culverts that all form the catchment of Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora. Many of these are almost dry due to irrigation take from local intensive farming, particularly dairying, which requires a huge amount.

The Liffey today is just a trickle of its former self -I have seen old photos from the early part of last century showing small boats and punts on the stream, much like the Avon flowing through Christchurch-but that doesn't mean it should be discounted for its importance as a local ecosystem. Interestingly back in late September 2010, Lincoln University scientists found a subterranean crustacean just downstream of an active spring that they believe was pushed to the surface in the September 4th earthquake of that year.

Today's shot shows the Liffey underneath Gerald Street as it makes it's way from the Liffey domain towards its confluence with the LII.