River levels drop as rain eases

River levels have dropped in most places around South Canterbury and the Waitaki River valley but one remains high with the potential for outof-river flooding.

Environment Canterbury’s duty flood manager Jason Hawker said rain across the region had eased and river levels were receding.

‘‘The levels will continue to drop [on Wednesday],’’ Hawker said.

‘‘Staff are monitoring the rivers and no major issues have been reported as the river levels continue to drop.

‘‘There is a potential for out-of-river flooding [from the Waitaki River] to adjacent farms.’’

Hawker said the potential out-ofriver flooding would not be significant but will cause a bit of spilling onto the adjacent land.

The Waitaki River was sitting at 1358 cumecs late yesterday afternoon after peaking at 1653 at 10pm on Tuesday.

‘‘Landowners need to monitor their situation and staff will be monitoring the river as well.’’

Further up the Waitaki Valley, the Ahuriri River, which flooding from caused problems in Ō mā rama on Monday night had fallen back to 123 cumecs at 4.10pm on Wednesday after peaking at 504 cumecs at 6am on Tuesday.

The Rangitata River, at the gorge, peaked at 3pm on Tuesday at 1150 cumecs and was back to 350 cumecs at 4.15pm on yesterday.

The Orari River peaked on Tuesday afternoon at 425 cumecs but dropped back to 79 yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile the rain has caused a small delay for farmers in the region according to Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group chairperson Colin Hurst.

‘‘If it [rain] carries on, then it will be a concern,’’ Hurst, who farms south of Timaru, said.

Hurst said the main concern for farmers was that feed supplies would be ‘‘extremely tight’’ with the price of feed grain going up and stock consuming more feed due to the wet weather.

‘‘The wet period has just exacerbated it [stock consuming more feed].’’

Federated Farmers South Canterbury provincial president Greg Anderson said, although the rain was a significant event for South Canterbury, it was not as bad as the floods in 2021.

Anderson said he had heard of some minor damage caused to farms by the floods like flood gates getting washed away and wet paddocks to feed stock.

Tom Adkins, a block manager on Caberfeidh Station, in the Hakataramea Valley in the Waimate District, said the lower end of the valley was not as badly affected by the rain and floods as certain areas in Ō mā rama, Otematata and Tekapo.

‘‘We’re fortunate to be at the lower end of the [Haktaramea] valley,’’ Adkins said.

‘‘We are keeping the livestock happy and well-fed. There’s no significant damage to the crops, but the flood water washed away some patches.

‘‘We got off pretty light. It’s wet but not disastrous.’’

Adkins said the extra silage from last spring was a saviour, and they still do not know the extent of the damage caused by the floodwaters, which yesterday morning, had not receded yet.

Waitaki District Council communications spokesperson Anna Eisenhut said the roads most affected were Lake Ō hau Rd, Awakino Skifield Rd, Broken Hut Rd, Ahuriri Valley roads (Henburn, Quailburn, and Birchwood Roads) and there was surface flooding around Ō mā rama, Otematata, and Lake Ō hau Village.

‘‘There are approximately 20 roads that have medium to significant repairs required. Until water levels drop this number is not confirmed,’’ Eisenhut said.

‘‘We expect to have all roads open within the next week, however full road repair will take longer than this.’’

A media release by Waitaki District Council yesterday morning said the washout at Lake Ō hau Rd remains a priority and Civil Defence continues to support residents and visitors who are cut off.

‘‘Our contractors are on site today to commence works on the washout and hope to have some access restored by the weekend.

‘‘Contractors are continuing to inspect local roads. A number of roads are closed due to flooding, washouts and landslides.’’

Due to the road closures the

Ō mā rama Transfer Station was not open yesterday.

‘‘We ask the public to continue to keep away from any waterways as rivers and streams may rise quickly.

‘‘Unless you are a resident, we request people stay away from damaged areas. Your presence might put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated water, damaged roads, and other hazards.’’

A Mackenzie District Council communications team spokesperson said the roads affected will all require some remedial works.

‘‘Initial repairs are under way to provide safe access and should be completed within the next couple of days. However, more permanent repairs will take longer,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘The cost of damage is still being quantified and council will be making an emergency works applications for extra funding from Waka Kotahi to assist in funding that remedial works.’’