25 October 2016
October clouds offer silver lining to Otago farmers
Higher-than-normal rainfall in Otago has brought some much needed breathing space for Otago farmers who may be facing
another summer of dry conditions.
Otago Regional Council manager of resource science Dean Olsen said soil moisture is currently close to normal for the
time of year, and not as dry as it was this time last year.
“We’ve seen some good levels of rain in October, which has helped replenish the moisture in the soils and aquifers and
in some rivers, but with a La Nina event predicted, parts of the region remain at risk of drought-like conditions,” Dr
Olsen said.
“Looking back over the past six months, we can see that conditions over much of Otago have been on the dry side, which
is reflected in the condition of some of our river systems.”
Dr Olsen said river flows had been below normal for this time of the year in the Taieri, Manuherikia, and Lindis
catchments. Low groundwater levels were observed in the North Otago Volcanic Aquifer, Waitaki Plains, and parts of the
lower Taieri.
With NIWA predicting average to below average rainfall for the region, ORC is encouraging farmers to get together with
other water users to prepare for the likelihood that they will need to share available water.
Council chief executive Peter Bodeker said he was confident water users would do their utmost to manage the region’s
water responsibly.
“We saw throughout last spring and summer that water users operated both responsibly and collaboratively in how they
responded to very dry conditions,” Mr Bodeker said.
“We saw an extremely high level of compliance with consent conditions, and users responding swiftly to our requests to
reduce taking water or stop altogether when required.
“Communities did an outstanding job of adhering to minimum flows, and sharing and rationing what water is available. I’m
sure we will again witness this if the coming summer proves as challenging.”
Mr Bodeker said it was also important for communities to understand the pressures that dry conditions brought, not just
on the river systems, but on the farming community.
The Government has extended its declaration of an adverse event to cover most of the eastern seaboard of the South
Island. In Otago this includes all of the areas within the Dunedin, Central Otago, and Waitaki districts.
The classification means that farming families who are struggling may be able to in some circumstances access support
and financial assistance.
Mr Bodeker said the first point of contact for any family needing help was the local rural support trust.
ends