Lake Level Monday 10am

Forecast rain in the Lake Wakatipu catchment is not expected to push the lake beyond the peak reached on Saturday but will result in a small rise, according to information provided by the Otago Regional Council.

“At this stage we have rain falling in Queenstown, while that may be a little unnerving for the business community, the info we have is that the lake will not rise significantly,” Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Clive Geddes said.

It was important to understand that the lake was affected by the rainfall in the entire catchment, not just rainfall overhead in Queenstown. “The Otago Regional Council modelling will take into account the rainfall from the whole catchment,” he said.

Lake Wakatipu had now dropped 10.8cm as of 7am from the peak of 311.48 (reached at 10am on Saturday).

“The ORC estimates worst case scenario we could receive 40mm today. That would push the lake back up to just below the peak on Saturday,” Mr Geddes said.

At that level the Council did not consider there would be any threat to premises, although wind could still create some issues.

“The important thing is that we will continue to closely monitor rain events over the coming days and soon as we are able to understand the implications we will get that information to the business community,” Mr Geddes said.

The majority of the estimated 35 retailers, who secured their premises against potential floodwater on Friday, had now re-opened.

“There will be a delay between today’s rainfall event and the impact on the lake level. We intend to ensure that retailers in Queenstown Bay and residents of Kingston and Glenorchy have the information they need to make decisions in respect to homes and premises,” Mr Geddes said.

While the lake level remained in the warning zone (above 310.8m) both Councils would continue to be in a state of preparedness.