Council report low lake levels

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is issuing low lake level notifications for the Rotorua region, citing conditions that are at the lowest in several seasons.

A dry season to date means the council has been forced to issue the notification as early as December - well ahead of the usual trend.


Photo: File.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council principal engineering surveyor Graeme O'Rourke says due to the low rainfall levels being experienced throughout the Bay, lakes are nearing minimum operating conditions.

This means that the Okere Gates will be operating on its minimum settings in an effort to hold Rotoiti lake levels.

The Ohau Channel stop logs, which have been in place since November 2013, are also aiding in the effort to keep lake levels within the desired zone.

Graeme says it is early to be in this position, where previously it hasn't been until mid-to-late summer when public notices have been issued.

He says: 'While the current rain is very welcome, it will take a considerable amount of rainfall over a reasonable period of time to get the lake levels back to normal.

'It looks like this is the start of the predicted dry period as El Nino takes hold through the summer.”

The low levels in Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti can occasionally affect navigation and access to jetties in some locations, with the lake margins levels up to 10cm below their usual shoreline.

It can also impact on lake temperatures as the weather warms and algal growth can increase.

'Water quality is a priority for us,” adds Graeme, 'and we do our best to keep the lakes at a healthy level as required by our consent conditions.

'But until we have a significant amount of rain, the lake levels will remain low and council will continue to monitor the situation.”

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.