Detailed inspections to follow heavy rainfall

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Rivers and Drainage staff have begun detailed inspections of the river schemes to assess the extent of repair works required following the weekend’s heavy rain event.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Flood Duty Manager Bruce Crabbe said that rainfalls across the region overnight were fairly light with up to 25mm in the ranges and up to 10mm on coastal plains.

“The Fortunes Road drainage area is almost back to normal and the extra mobile pumps have now been redeployed. Ongoing pumping there can be handled satisfactorily with the existing pumping station now,” Mr Crabbe said.

“Ponded water in the Te Rahu ponding area is receding rapidly to the extent that the extra mobile pumps there are expected to be removed later today.”

“Our staff continue to coordinate well with Trustpower and Bay of Plenty Energy to manage the Matahina Dam and Lake Aniwhenua operations.”

Trustpower continues to reduce spilling from the Matahina Dam with outflows of approximately 180 cumecs now compared with 375 cumecs at its peak. The Matahina Dam level is now 0.6 metres below its maximum operating level.

Bay of Plenty Energy is continuing to keep Lake Aniwhenua below normal minimum operating levels to help alleviate flooding upstream of the dam.

Mr Crabbe said that today the lake level is at 1.2 metres below its normal minimum operating level.

“The river level at Rabbit Bridge upstream of Aniwhenua continues to fall despite the rain overnight.”

“Lake Rotorua is still very full and the Lake Rotoiti outlet control gates at Okere remain fully open to help the lake levels fall to their normal operating range as quickly as possible,” said Mr Crabbe.

Mr Crabbe said their operations staff continue to address flooding and drainage issues where appropriate.

“Our works and engineering staff are beginning to carry out detailed inspections of the river schemes to assess the extent of repair works required,” said Mr Crabbe.

For updated information, including river levels and rainfall, visit Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website at www.envbop.govt.nz and click on the live monitoring link.

Information on road closures is available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website at http://nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html .

ENDS

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