As rainfall has ceased in Dunedin and elsewhere in eastern Otago, flows in the Leith, Lindsay and Silver Stream are quickly reducing.

The Water of Leith peaked last night at 100 cumecs and is now at 10 cumecs. The highest flow in the Water of Leith since continuous records began in 1964 was 114 cumecs in 1991. The recently completed flood protection works held up well and assisted the passage of water.

Some rivers in the region remain high as they receive rainfall from catchment headwaters, but are expected to recede over the next two to three days.

The Lower Clutha is currently at 1620 cumecs and holding. Water levels may continue to rise at a slow rate as water from the Pomahaka River and Clutha River at Roxburgh come through later in the afternoon. High flows in the Clutha River are unlikely to affect Balclutha, Inch Clutha or the Barnego area.

The Taieri River at Outram peaked at 740 cumecs and is now at 688 cumecs and receding. Upstream at Sutton the Taieri peaked at around 11am and is expected recede throughout the day.

There are no current predictions of further heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours which would cause river levels to rise rapidly.

Those people who are in and around low-lying areas adjacent to waterways are encouraged to be aware of rising waters and keep up-to-date with ORC river information.

For up-to-date river level information go to www.water.orc.govt.nz, call the flowphone on 0800 426 463 or join us to receive texted flood alerts – see the Twitter flood alerts page at www.orc.govt.nz.

Media enquiries contact

Gavin Palmer
Director engineering, hazards and science
Ph 03 474 0827 or 0800 474 082