UPDATED 5.26am: Hefty claims of intimidation and ignorance from a North Canterbury resident over the Lake Taylor debate.

A herd of cattle were snapped drinking and wading through the popular lake - which sits beside a popular DOC camp.

The story took a twist when it was revealed the owners are Chief Justice Dame Sian Ellis and high profile business man Hugh Fletcher.

ECAN is now investigating and sent a compliance manager to the station yesterday.

Nearby bach owner Edward Snowden said he's been complaining to DOC for 15 years.

"I question frequently when and how are we going to solve this problem of these cows being put through into this river bed, throught the forest park and in the middle of a major tramping track. When are we going to solve this problem? Who's going to take on the Lake Station?"

Mr Snowden said he's been intimated and threatened for years by the station's owners and manger.

He said officials have ignored him.

"I have been phoning up on a regular basis if I've made a visit up there and seen cows in there, or on occasions I've chased cows out, I've actually driven them round the lake and up to the fence and opened the gate and shoved them out."