Warning levels reached for rivers

For immediate release: 14 August 2010 – 9am update

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has issued first warning levels on some Eastern Bay of Plenty rivers, with rain still falling and levels expected to increase.

Rivers Drainage Operations Manager Bruce Crabbe said rain had increased significantly since early this morning and the Waioeka, Otara, and Waimana rivers first warning levels had been exceeded with the rivers still rising steadily.

Rainfall across the region had reached 60mm to 180mm in the ranges and 40mm to 80mm across the lower lying areas. It was still raining steadily across the region.

Rain in the Rangitāiki and Whirinaki catchments has been less than elsewhere at 20mm to 40mm. The Matahina Dam on the Rangitāiki River has been drawn down to close to its minimum operating level.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff are monitoring pumps and drainage systems and are on call to address problem areas that arise.

The new Metservice warning is for another 150mm to 200mm in the ranges out until tomorrow morning.

ENDS

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