Crews on standby to open gates

Horizons Regional Council have a crew on standby to open the Moutoa floodgates late this morning after steady rain in the Tararua, Manawatu and Rangitikei catchments.

Horizons group manager operations Allan Cook says the worst of the rain has now passed and farmers who use the spillway have been notified.

“Water levels at Moutoa are currently 7.9 metres and the crew have been instructed to open the gates once they reach the trigger level of 8.25 metres,” says Mr Cook.

“The Manawatu River is still rising and we are expecting it to reach a peak of 5.3 metres at Teachers’ College around midday. We anticipate this will result in the floodgates being open for approximately 24 hours.”

Mr Cook says operations and emergency management staff have been monitoring rainfall and river levels in a number of rivers overnight.

“The Oroua River reached a 3.2 metre peak at 6pm last night at Almadale, which is approximately 1 metre lower than levels during the June event for the stretch from Awahuri to Rangiotu. This was a moderate flood for the Oroua but we don’t expect any problems at Rangiotu.

“The Rangitikei River has reached a similar level at Mangaweka to that experienced in June at a 6.1 metre peak. Operations staff have been closely monitoring flood system weaknesses following the June event, including on the Rangitikei River at Parewanui and Manawatu River at Opiki, and will continue to do so for the next 24 hours.

“Fortunately there was little rain in the lower parts of the western catchments so there are no concerns with the Makino or Mangaone Streams. There was also little rainfall in the Wanganui, Whangaehu and Turakina catchments,” he says.

Up-to-date information on river heights and rainfall is available via Horizons 24 hour toll-free Waterline 0508 4 FLOOD or via our website www.horizons.govt.nz

Members of the public are advised to take care while driving and check the AA’s website, http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch for information on road closures.

ENDS

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