Exceptionally heavy rain in the Rotorua catchment during the New Year is being attributed to record levels in lakes.

Lake Rotoma's water level is the highest it has been for at least 10 years and Lakes Okataina and Rotomahana are at the highest level recorded since the 1970s.

Lake Okataina in Rotorua.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council's data also shows Lake Rerewhakaaitu is the highest level since the 1960s, however Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti recorded higher levels in January 2011.

Regional Council engineering manager Colin Meadowcroft says heavy rainfall from late December to early January significantly raised water levels in the district.

He says lake levels were pre-emptively lowered following a MetService weather warning in late December 2011.

'The Okere Gates have been fully open and stoplogs have been removed since December 30 to maximise outflows from lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti to reduce lake levels as quickly as possible.”

Colin says the high lake levels could pose some problems for boaties using ramp facilities, and residents may notice some drainage problems due to the high water levels.

'Unfortunately there is little more the Council can do until lake levels lower naturally.”