Water Shortage Direction for Opihi River and tributaries

A Water Shortage Direction for the Opihi River and its tributaries – which includes the Opuha River and Lake Opuha – is in effect from Friday 11 March for 14 days.

While January rainfall helped raise storage levels in the lake, low rainfall in February and early March, combined with irrigation demand, has resulted in the need for further management of river flows.

The Direction requires Opuha Water Limited to maintain a minimum flow of 6.5 cubic metres per second in the Opihi River (at the Saleyards) when the lake is above 375 metres.

The lake level is currently around 385 metres. The Opuha Environmental Flow Release Advisory Group, comprising representatives from district councils, farmers, Opuha Water Limited, river users and tangata whenua, agreed to the release level of 6.5 cubic metres for a 14-day period to enable minimum water release from the Opuha Dam in order to build up water storage.

There are no irrigation restrictions in this Direction. However, Opuha Water has imposed a 75% restriction on irrigation for its shareholders.

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

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