Lake Level Update

Date:

Jan 2, 2011

Heavy rain is forecast for the South Island later today and into tomorrow. The Metservice forecast has been assessed by the Otago Regional Council in terms of lake level monitoring. The event is forecast for Fiordland and South Westland but some spill over into the headwaters of Otago tonight and into tomorrow (Monday). The ORC model projects that the rain (worst case scenario 150mm) could cause Lake Wanaka to reach its first warning level, no issues expected. For Lake Wakatipu the rain (worst case scenario 150mm) will see Wakatipu reach 311.3, this is over the first flood warning level and is likely to cause low level ‘spill’ into low lying reserves in Queenstown Bay, Kingston and Glenorchy foreshores. The worst case scenario would not see any threat to any premise or property so it will continue to be business as usual. The Council will be keeping a close watch on the lakes and will issue ample warning directly to retailers if the situation changes. Please monitor levels on the ORC website www.orc.govt.nz

By: Meaghan Miller