Meridian Energy Limited (MEL) operates Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for hydroelectric power generation and manages the lake levels according to prescribed limits (Manapouri Hydraulic Manual, Appendix B: Operating Guidelines for Levels of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, Meridian Energy). As part of its management of the Manapouri Power Scheme (MPS), MEL carries out a number of environmental monitoring programmes to measure the environmental effects of their operations including the consequences of lake-level regimes on vegetation stability across the shorelines. Environmental effects on the shoreline vegetation of lake level management of the Manapouri/Te Anau hydroelectric scheme has been monitored by repeat measurement of permanent transects since the 1970s (see Background in Burrows et al 2015). The shoreline monitoring consists of approximately 900 plot-based observations of plant species abundance along at least 49 transects and associated fixed-point photographic records. Lake Hauroko is monitored as an uncontrolled natural lake to compare with shoreline vegetation at the managed lakes (Johnson 1997). This comparison allows us to determine if any changes in shoreline vegetation detected at Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri are occurring more widely in the unmanaged landscape. Results from regular repeat assessments through time have underpinned the environmental sustainability of the scheme. Data collected during measurements are archived on behalf of the MPS operators at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Lincoln in the National Vegetation Survey (NVS) databank and in DataStore. The now 5-yearly monitoring programme of terrestrial shoreline vegetation tracks changes in composition and distribution of shoreline vegetation and their causes. The zone of interest is defined as extending from the upper margins of the aquatic vegetation and wetland turfs that exist below the mean operating lake level, and which are exposed during periods of low lake levels, through shore sedge and rush communities, to adjacent shrubland and forest that are inundated only during periods of very high water. To request access to these datasets please email Adrian Monks MonksA@landcareresearch.co.nz or Gretchen Brownstein BrownsteinG@landcareresearch.co.nz