Water Shortage Direction renewed for Opihi River and tributaries

Another Water Shortage Direction for the Opihi River and its tributaries – which includes the Opuha River and Lake Opuha – is in effect from Thursday April 16 for 14 days. The Direction ensures that the Opihi River continues to sustain environmental flows for the health of the river.

The Direction requires Opuha Water Limited to maintain a minimum flow of 2.0 cubic metres per second in the Opihi River (at the Saleyards) when the lake is below 375m and above 370m; and when the water level is above 375m, the minimum flow will be maintained at 4.0 metres per second.

For the duration of the Direction, when the water level in Lake Opuha is above 372 metres consent holders linked to the Opuha Dam shallabstract water for irrigation from the Opihi River and its tributaries at no more than 50 per cent of the maximum allowable normalised daily take.

When the lake level is below 372 metres there shall be no abstraction for irrigation from the Opihi River and its tributaries by consent holders.

Environment Canterbury has authority under Section 329 of the Resource Management Act 1991 to notify the Water Shortage Direction.

The Water Shortage Direction is available to view on the Environment Canterbury website via the link below.

http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/pages/water-shortage-160415.aspx

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