Lake Level Update 4PM

The Queenstown Lakes and Otago Regional Councils have advised Queenstown retailers in the central business flood zone to prepare for flooding overnight.

“The information we have available at this time confirms that flooding of the foreshore area of Queenstown will occur,” QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

The Council had advised businesses in the area to ensure premises were protected.

The warning was designed to allow retailers the opportunity to secure their premises during daylight hours.
“According to the forecasting from both Met service and the ORC the best we will be looking at is a level of 311.47m but worst case scenario could take us to 312.2m,” Mr Geddes said.

At 312.2m potentially several properties would be affected at the lakeside townships of Kingston and Glenorchy and potentially some 35 businesses in the Queenstown Central Business District.

Low level flooding of reserve areas was already visible in Queenstown, Glenorchy and Kingston by midday today.
“On top of the lake level we need to take into consideration the potential for damage from wave action because wind is forecast,” Mr Geddes said.

Large 900mm pipes had been installed on the waterfront together with concrete blocks to help deflect any potential wave action. An ORC boom had also been deployed to help keep debris from forming in Queenstown Bay. Two sandbagging stations had been set up and members of the public had volunteered to help fill bags.
Monitoring would take place throughout the night tonight with lake levels expected to peak in the early hours of the morning.

“As we move into the hours of darkness we would like to think we are as prepared as we possibly can be,” Mr Geddes said.

Regardless of what transpired overnight Mr Geddes said Queenstown would still be open for business in the morning.
“This will only affect a small part of the town - for greater Queenstown it will be business as usual,” Mr Geddes said.

Lake Wanaka continued to be high sitting at 278.856m as of 3pm, however this remained 1.14m off flood level.
“We will continue to keep a watching brief on Lake Wanaka,” Mr Geddes said.