Warning to boaties because of low lake levels

For immediate release: Monday 28 February 2005 Environment Bay of Plenty is issuing a warning to boat owners, float planes and other lake operators to exercise extreme caution due to declining water levels in Lake Rotorua.

Graeme O’Rourke, Environment Bay of Plenty’s principal engineering officer, says that falling lake levels have increased the risks of accidents from underwater hazards

Levels in Lake Rotorua continue to decline as the hot summer weather continues in the Bay of Plenty, he explains. “The trend is typical for this time of year but the low lake levels are now beginning to cause concern for some lake operators.”

Monday’s lake level of 279.608 above Moturiki Datum is currently 0.197m below ‘target’ or the desired lake level. However levels are still 0.085m higher than the seven year low recorded in 1998. Mr O’Rourke also pointed out that the Kaharoa rain gauge near Hamurana Springs has only received 54.0mm of rain so far this year compared to the 236.5mm that fell in December alone last year.

The Ohau Channel stop logs, which help control Rotorua Lake levels, have been in since August 2002.

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