“We are hoping to see the lake adopt a downward trend by tomorrow (Sunday) night but our bigger concern remains to be forecast winds,” Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Clive Geddes said.

Wave action could still cause problems for Queenstown Bay, Kingston and Glenorchy.

The Otago Regional Council prediction that the lake would rise to around the 311.5m mark remained the anticipated peak, with the lake this morning sitting at 311.48m.

“We will continue to model lake levels on a daily basis at this point,” Otago Regional director environmental engineering and natural hazards Gavin Palmer said.

It was likely the lake would remain high for several days although without further rainfall the ORC predicted the lake could recede below the flood warning level of 310.8m in over a week’s time.

Rain forecast for Monday was now likely to fall to the west of the catchment.

Both Councils would continue to closely monitor the situation and provide the community with the information and support it needed.

Given the current situation road closures in the Queenstown Central Business District were assessed earlier today.

“We are re-opening Upper Beach Street, Rees Street and Church Street but suggest visitors to the CBD still leave cars on the outskirts to give ease of access to retailers,” Mr Geddes said. Earl Street would be re-opened later in the day.

The closure of lower Beach Street and Marine Parade, due to ponding, would remain in place but it was very much business as usual in the CBD.

Lake Wanaka’s slow rise was also moderating and was sitting 200mm below the first warning level at mid-morning.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Queenstown Lakes District Council
Clive Geddes 027 229 4860.

Otago Regional Council
ORC River Lake Monitoring: Gavin Palmer
ORC Director, Environmental engineering and natural hazards
0274 933 960

By: Meaghan