Water Shortage Direction renewed for Opihi River and tributaries

Another Water Shortage Direction for the Opihi River and its tributaries – which includes the Opuha River and Lake Opuha – came into effect from Wednesday March 11 for 14 days. This Direction is to ensure that the Opihi River continues to sustain environmental flows for the health of the river.

The Direction requires Opuha Water Limited to maintain a minimum flow of 2.0 cubic metres per second in the Opihi River (at the Saleyards) when the lake is below 375 metres and above 370 metres. This is a reduction from the existing minimum flow of 2.5 cumecs.

When the water level in Lake Opuha is at or below 370 metres, Opuha Water Limited shall manage a transition to natural flows to a level of 369 metres.

For the duration of the Direction, when the water level in Lake Opuha falls below 374 metres consent holders linked to the Opuha Dam are required to cease abstraction for irrigation from the Opihi River and its tributaries.

Notwithstanding the above, when the lake level is above 370.5 metres and the minimum flows specified are achieved, restrictions on “above dam” consent holders shall be determined by the minimum flows in the waterways to which they are tied.

Environment Canterbury has authority under Section 329 of the Resource Management Act 1991 to notify the Water Shortage Direction.

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