Description:

Palustrine wetland complex made up of eight areas of red tussock dominated fen. ¹¹²

Type/Class:

Fen. ²

Size:

58.1 ha.

Altitude:

260 - 300 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

1 km North of the intersection of Owaka Valley Road and Lochindorb Runs Road, Clinton.
NZTM (centre point): E1321880 N4867950.

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago.
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.151, Map F49.

Territorial Authority:

Clutha District Council.

Other Information:

• Composition of red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) and Juncus sp.. ²
  
  
• Other indigenous plant species include Chaerophyllum ramosum, Drosera spatulata, Gonocarpus micranthus, Leucopogon fraseri, Gaultheria macrostigma, Nertera villosa, sun orchid (Thelymitra sp.) and wire rush (Empodisma minus). ^{111, 112}
  
  
• Recorded native bird species include Paradise Duck, Pukeko, Skylark and Welcome Swallow). ¹¹²
  
  
• Portions of the wetland have been modified through draining, damming, construction of a farm track and the introduction of exotic plants species and stock). ^{111, 112}
  
  
• Two other fen complexes are located nearby; Kuriwao Saddle Fen Complex is c. 800 m to the south, and Hazeldale Fens are c. 2 km to the south west. A QEII covenant (5/12/113) protects the south eastern portion of the Kuriwao Saddle Fen Complex). ¹¹²
  
  
• There are several other protected areas in the wider area. The Waiwera River Conservation Area (2.6 ha) and Waiwera River Marginal Strip (10 ha) are c. 600 m and 1.3 km north east of the Three Stones Fen Complex, respectively. Two protected areas that are part of the Catlins Conservation Park (136.1 and 100 ha) are situated 4.5 and 6.8 km to the east and the Owaka Valley Scenic Reserve (58.8 ha) is 5.5 km to the south east). ¹¹²

Aerial view of Three Stones Fen Complex (March 2006)

Three Stones Fen Complex (November 2009) ⁵¹