Regional council working to keep lakes stable

Lake Rotoiti water levels are running low

A lack of rain over the past few months means Rotorua lake levels are low, prompting further operational measures to be taken.

Residents in the lakes area, particularly around Lake Rotoiti, have expressed concern over falling lake levels. Lake Rotoiti is 50mm below its preferred minimum level while other district lakes are also very low.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responding by operating the Okere Gates close to minimum settings between 4pm to 10am each day to maintain lake levels.

This means commercial activity such as rafting on the Kaituna River will only be permitted from 10am to 4pm, as river flows are increased slightly to facilitate those activities.

The council's principal engineering surveyor Graeme O'Rourke said those measures would be reassessed if conditions did not improve.

The Okere Gates have been on minimum-to-low rafting settings since last October in an effort to hold lake levels within the 'main operating range', while balancing out-flows.

Lake levels recovered slightly following several days of rain during December, but not enough.

"Until we get significant rain the lake levels will remain low," Mr O'Rourke said. "The good news is that there is some prospect of rain this week, so hopefully a recovery is in sight."

Raftabout owner and guide Steve McNab said he was happy he could continue to run his business, even if it was at a reduced capacity.

"Basically they're shutting the gates down at night, but it's really good they are giving us those operating hours. It's really good to see them [regional council] work with the industry.

"I believe regional council is doing a great job, although its negative that the lakes are low, it's going to fill up.

"The margins are quite small, but they are not that low in the great scheme of things," he said.