January 12 2015
MEDIA RELEASE
River flows update

Environment Canterbury reported today that river flows around the region were generally low.

Surface Water Science Manager Tim Davie said some rain over the Christmas-New Year period had made very little difference to river flows, with continued dry weather since then dropping flows further. “Alpine rivers have been higher from earlier nor-west rain but they are now starting to drop away,” he said.

“River flows from Ashburton State Highway 1 south to the Waihao River are low with most rivers on restriction. Flows have been dropping over the past week but with no significant rainfall forecast these rivers may well start to drop into ‘Very low’ conditions.”

In South Canterbury, Mackenzie District Council is continuing water restrictions on residents in Twizel and Fairlie Kimbell. Restrictions are in place for all schemes in the Timaru District Council area. Seewww.mackenzie.govt.nz and www.timaru.govt.nz for the latest information.

A Water Shortage Direction for the Opihi River and its tributaries – which includes the Opuha River and Lake Opuha – expired on 30 December 2014. This means the flow rate for the Opihi River at Saleyards Bridge can now be reduced to 3500 litres per second as per the Opihi River Regional Plan, but it is currently flowing at 5500 litres per second.

Irrigators should refer to Environment Canterbury’s restrictions web page to make sure they are not breaching their consents and taking their water allocations either above the allowable amount or when a surface water body is on partial or full restriction.

For current river flow information go to www.ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/river-flows/Pages/River-flows-south.aspx

ENDS

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