Flood Monitoring Advisory

Thursday 10th January 0800hrs

Otago flood warning

Predicted rainfall for the Lakes region of Otago has eventuated with significant falls in the Wakatipu and Wanaka catchments. In the Wanaka catchment the Makarora rain gauge recorded 176mm of rain in 24 hours while the rainfall at the upper cascade rain gauge in the upper Matukituki recorded 270mm. Matukituki river flows peaked this morning at 1115 cumecs. In the Wakatipu catchment rainfall recorded at Paradise in the Dart catchment was 151mm in 24hours. The Dart River peaked this morning at 1475 cumecs.

Both Lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu are high and rising and are expected to peak between 3pm and 6pm tonight. Lake Wakatipu is predicted to peak around 311.4m which would cause minor flooding of low-lying areas in Queenstown. Lake Wanaka is expected to also peak between 3pm and 6pm tonight at close to 280m which would also cause flooding of low lying areas of Wanaka's waterfront.

Boaties should also be weary of floating debris in Lakes, Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea that has been washed in from swollen tributaries.

High flows are expected in the Kawarau and Upper Clutha Rivers, as floodwaters drain from the lakes. High flows are expected in the Lower Clutha River/Mata-Au, downstream of Roxburgh to Balclutha into the weekend, affecting low-lying areas alongside the river.

ORC has advised farmers to move stock to higher ground.

Campers are advised to be aware of rapidly rising lake and river levels.

River level and rainfall information is available on the ORC water info webpage
www.orc.govt.nz/waterinfo or by phoning 0800 426 463.

ENDS

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