Current water restrictions remain in place for Motupiko as cease take looms for unaffiliated Waimea permits.

Despite some brief boosts to river levels across Tasman, subsequent drops in river flows and the likelihood of long-term drier weather has prompted ongoing water restrictions for Motupiko and Waimea Dam-unaffiliated consent holders.

The district received some minor rain last week, although not significant enough to moderate the dry conditions that have been developing.

River flows rose in many rivers but these were short duration spikes with flow now reverting to the previous lower levels.

The Motupiko River had a spike in its flow to about 1100 litres per second (l/s) on Saturday – a marked increase from the 175 l/s recorded earlier last week.

However, with the continuing drop in the river flows, Tasman Dry Weather Task force has recommended that its current Stage 2 restrictions (a 35% cut to allocation) be maintained.

Water users in the Rainy zone remain on a cease take under their own specific consent conditions.

Waimea Dam-unaffiliated permit holders currently in Stage 2 restrictions (50% A Permit cuts and 20% B Permit cuts) are nearing the cease take trigger of 2050 l/s. This was likely to occur by the end of the week under the current rate of recession.

No other water management zones are affected by these restrictions – this includes Council-managed reticulated water supplies which are subject to alternative and different restriction criteria.

The drier areas in the district continue to be the Motupiko/Wai-iti/Waimea areas. The Aorere is getting low and the Motueka River is dropping as well.

The smaller creeks and streams (Dovedale/Powley/Moutere/Brooklyn/Little Sydney) were also dropping but were not yet at restriction triggers this week.

Weather forecasts indicate minimal rain in the coming days but longer-range models show potential for more useful rain toward the end of next week.

Harvesting of fruit and hops continues across the district, reducing water demand in some areas.

There is still demand for pasture irrigation in Golden Bay. Soil moisture conditions are also low in both the Waimea and Tākaka areas.

This week the Waimea Community Dam and Wai-iti Dam are 98% and 90% full, respectively. The Cobb Dam is around 59% full, generating power at regular intervals while keeping flushes down the Tākaka river which is increasing the flow at Te Waikoropupū Springs (~9860 l/s on Wednesday).

Our dams continue to supplement key water supplies in other areas, maintaining unrestricted water use.

The current Waimea Dam levels are such that it would provide water for all the affiliated water permit holders for the rest of the summer season.

It has also ensured we have been able to avoid restrictions for urban water users on a council water supply.

Without the current Waimea releases, Richmond (including those in Nelson supplied via the Richmond water supply), Hope, Brightwater, and Māpua/Ruby Bay households and businesses would be at Phase C water restrictions.

Staff will continue to monitor river flows, groundwater, and soil moisture levels in the coming days.

This week’s decision will be reviewed by the Dry Weather Taskforce on Tuesday 24 March to ascertain the need for continued or further measures.

You can keep up to date with groundwater and river flow data by visiting our environmental data portal www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/environment/environmental-data-portal .

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