Annual Lake Rotoiti drawdown to begin

Ohau Channel boat ramp with lower lake levels.

The annual drawdown of Lake Rotoiti will begin over the next few days in which the lake will drop 100mm below its normal operating range.

The lake is lowered by an extra 100mm each year as part of consent guidelines to help facilitate flushing of the Ōhau Channel to reduce flood risk in the channel.

Subject to weather constraints, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council says it will lower lake levels gradually. It will then hold the lower levels for a few weeks to allow inspection of lake margins and such assets as jetties and boat ramps.

The council's Okere gates operator, Graeme O'Rourke, says under consent conditions, the council has between 36 and 55 days during the winter months to achieve the drawdown.

'At this time of year, I try to look ahead through the weather forecasts and find a few weeks of low rainfall.

'This is the best opportunity to get the lake levels down and flush the channel.

'The current rain may raise the lake a few extra centimetres so we'll try and keep the gates open to stay in the main operating range and then drop into the ‘drawdown zone' from there.

'River users, like the rafting community, can expect to see the gates fully open at some stage shortly as we work to get the annual drawdown completed as painlessly as possible.”

Consequently, users will be apprised of progress and information.

Should issues arise, around Lake Rotoiti details should be noted and photos taken for the record before contacting the council.

Monitoring Lake Rotoiti water levels at Okawa Bay jetty.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.