Flood Advisory

Thursday 10 January 2013 1700hrs

Otago river and lake level alert

Otago Regional Council flood managers are continuing to closely monitor river and lake levels in Otago, as rainfall levels in parts of the region remain high.

River and lake levels continue to rise in the Wakatipu, Wanaka, and Hawea lakes catchments. Lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu are still high and rising. Both are now expected to peak around midday tomorrow.

Lake Wakatipu is currently at 311.01m and rising, and is expected to peak at 311.4m, which may cause minor flooding in low-lying parts of Queenstown. Lake Wanaka is currently at 279.3m and rising and is expected to peak at 280m. Similarly, this may also cause flooding of low-lying areas around the Wanaka waterfront.

Flows in the Lower Clutha/Matau-Au at Balclutha are expected to exceed 1600 cubic metres a second by mid-morning tomorrow. Flows are currently 1470 cumecs below the Roxburgh dam and the river levels are rising.

ORC staff will continue to monitor the situation and issue further updates and specific warnings as required.

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

ENDS

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