Farmers and lifestyle block owners are being reminded to keep grazing stock off stopbanks to ensure they are best able to perform their function as an essential flood protection asset.
Horizons Regional Council said with winter weather conditions setting in wetter soil conditions combined with heavy animals or smaller animals that dig, can weaken the region's stopbanks.
The council manages and maintains almost 420km of stopbanks, protecting over 46,000 hectares of land.
Paul Joseph, Horizons area engineer, said stopbanks provided essential flood protection for thousands of people, and while they can be grazed by cattle less than 18 months in age when the ground is firm in summer, grazing with cattle is not permitted under any circumstances between June 15 and September 15.
"As wet weather sets in, it's really important stopbanks maintain enough grass to prevent scouring in a flood event.