River flows
Northland has a large number of small river catchments and short, meandering streams. Climate and geology influence the flow within these rivers and the seasonal variation in rainfall is reflected in higher flows during winter and lower flows during summer.
During 2010-2011, rivers in Northland had average to above average monthly flows for nine months. As a result of severe drought conditions from October 2010 to November 2011 river flows during this period were well below average.